Middleton St George: St Laurence
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 348 123
A Victorian church of local stone with a tall south-east steeple, which gives it some vertical emphasis and townscape value. The church was built on a new site in the expanding settlement in 1871 to a design by J P Pritchett, a prolific local architect. It appears to have been built on artificially raised ground due to fear of subsidence. This is a solid design in the Geometrical style. The defining feature is the tower of three stages, while it also features a very steeply pitched roof with coped gables.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisleless 4-bay nave with south porch, original vestry (now kitchen) on north and choir/vicar’s vestry added on west end; tower with spire in south-east angle between nave and chancel; chancel with north organ chamber.
Dimensions:
Nave c 17m (55ft) x 8m (25ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Two Roman clay lamps, probably 3rd and 4th century AD, were found in 1875 just west of the churchyard, and Roman bricks have been found near the possible bridge site to the south-west. Middleton is an ancient hamlet of possible Early Medieval origin, the original site of which is now marked by the old church. A short distance to the west of the new church is a Norman Motte, a Scheduled Monument (No. 20968), on a natural hillock overlooking the river. The church is built on the outer flank of this, but there was never a bailey, and it is well outside the SM which encompasses the Motte earthwork only. The fortification relates to the Manor House at Dinsdale ½ mile to the south-west. There were also the sites of a Medieval Hospital and Hermitage to the south-west of this near an old bridge (Pontney Bridge) with a chapel of St John.
The church was built on a new site in the expanding settlement in 1871 to a design by J P Pritchett, a prolific local architect. It appears to have been built on artificially raised ground due to fear of subsidence. The archaeological potential of the site is probably low, but given the context reference should be made to the Historic Environment Record and contact made with the County Archaeologist if any major development of the site is being considered.
In the early 20th century a combined Vicar's and Choir vestry was built on to the west end. The village has expanded greatly in the last 20 years and is now a popular place to live.
Exterior Description
This is a solid design in the Geometrical style. The defining feature is the tower of three stages. It has an angle-buttressed lower stage with trefoil-headed lancets and pointed east doorway; short second stage with cut-back corners; and a polygonal open belfry with trefoil-headed bell openings under hoodmoulds, topped by a tall thin stone spire.
The church has very steeply pitched roofs with coped gables. The nave has angle buttresses to the west end with large pointed sexfoil window and truncated stack. The south side has chamfered plinth, sill string, and 2-light pointed windows to each bay with hoodmoulds and headstops. Blocked 4-bay arcade of pointed arches with inserted 2-light windows on north side. Buttresses have been added at some point to counter the subsidence which has affected this church.
The lower and narrower 2-bay chancel has similar details and a large 3-light pointed east window with trefoiled and quatrefoiled head. North vestry has pointed north doorway and pent roof, the organ chamber has similar. Flat-roofed 4-bay west choir/vicar's vestry has lancets and pointed doorway. The gabled south porch has a roll-moulded pointed outer doorway reached by a short flight of steps, with red sandstone colonnettes, similar inner doorway and trefoiled lancets on the returns.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century Aisleless 4-bay nave.
Porch
19th century south porch
Kitchen
20th century original 19th century vestry now kitchen on the north end
Vestry
20th century choir/vicar's vestry added on west end
Tower (component)
19th century tower with spire in south-east angle between nave and chancel
Chancel
19th century chancel with north organ chamber
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century squared rock-faced sandstone in narrow courses
Ashlar
19th century ashlar dressings
Welsh Slate
19th century roofs
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior is whitewashed, and there are signs of subsidence. There is a grave slab with foliated cross in the porch, presumably from St George's. The nave is fully pewed with simple benches with shaped ends and open backs. The floor is of stone flags with the chancel mostly under red carpet covering Minton encaustic tiles, panelled barrel roof in chancel. Tall pointed chancel arch, outer order chamfered, roll-moulded inner order with short Devonshire marble colonnettes and responds. Choir stalls with poppyheads. Cusped double piscine to the south wall.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century table with open arcaded front
Reredos
19th century a row of blind traceried arches with miniature painted figures
Pulpit
19th century hexagonal stone with blind tracery
Lectern
19th century brass with open scrolled reading desk given 1890
Font (component)
19th century Octagonal stone font in 13th century style with crocketting, IHS, Agnus Dei and Four Evangelists' symbols to the bowl panels. Carved lid of 1910.
Plaque (component)
20th century several plain brass plaques
Organ (object)
20th century A small pipe organ by Harrison & Harrison, built 1909.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers from 1874.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 348 123
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.