Diameter: 24" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1819
Dove Bell ID: 50850 Tower ID: 18236 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Beelsby: St Andrew
Overview
Grid reference: TA 207 20
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay nave with south porch. Chancel with south vestry.
Footprint of Church buildings: 172 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Archaeological records have revealed the remains of medieval settlements and earthworks within 1km of the church and records should be checked if any development is proposed.
There is no mention of the church in the Domesday book. A fragment of round-headed window set in the north wall until 1889 (now in the exterior west wall of the porch) has concluded the dating of the church as Norman. A list of rectors dates from 1200. A local historian, Sinclair, wrote that the church was rebuilt in the 13th century with a south arcade and west tower and that a north aisle was added or rebuilt in the 14th century. Between 1634 and 1846 (or 1807 as bells re-founded then) both aisles and the tower were demolished. The arcades were filled in with sash-windows inserted to light the interior. Faculty was granted in 1774 for a new roof to replace the lead roof. Additional notes from 1846 note the church as having red brickwork at the gable ends, of a wooden east window, ceiled and plastered roofs and brick buttresses at the angles of the nave. The closed tower arch remains visible at the west end.
Between 1889-90 a substantial rebuild and restoration was undertaken by R H Fowler, son of local architect James Fowler. A wooden ICBS plaque in the vestry records the allocation of a £30 grant in 1889. The work was initiated and fundraised by the incumbent at the time, Revd H Greenwood whose initials feature on the date stone at the west end. Fowler inserted new windows and a south door, rebuilt the chancel arch, extended the chancel and built a south vestry on the site of a former Lady Chapel. Historic slabs and gravestones were relocated and incorporated into the building fabric, and coffins found beneath the former Lady Chapel were built into the vestry walls.
The sanctuary was refurnished in 1927. A replacement altar top was installed and curtains fixed. The graveyard has been cleared since 1947.
Exterior Description
St Andrew's is a small church of Victorian appearance built in a mixture of irontone and limestone incorporating re-used material and medieval ledger stones, most evident in the south wall. The windows are of decorated tracery, the west window has an ogee hood mould. Stepped buttresses are placed at the bay divisions. The blocked tower arch is visible at the west end.
The slate-tiled roof with ridge tiles has two levels, the chancel being lower than the nave. A bellcote with surmounting spirelet above the west gable contains a single bell, above the east gable is a stone cross finial. A vestry extends south of the chancel, above it a chimney projects from the roof south of the chancel crossing. A porch is attached at the south-west corner.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 3-bay
Porch
19th century south
Chancel
19th century
Vestry
19th century south
Building Materials
Ashlar
19th century ironstone ashlar
Limestone
19th century ashlar dressings
Welsh Slate
19th century roof
Tile
19th century decorative ridge tiles to nave
Interior
Interior Description
Inside, the aisleless nave is plastered and limewashed leaving the blocked stone arcades, tower arch and window surrounds exposed. The roof is high, creating a sense of space and size, and is open to the brace collar and scissor trusses, timber boarding behind. Piers to the north side are octagonal, those to the south are round and/or clustered. Windows with clear glass are set within the arcades (three 2-light windows to the north, two 2-lights to the south and a 3-light window above the west tower arch). The floors are paved with encaustic clay tiles with raised timber boarded pew platforms either side of the aisle, overlaid by carpet. Unfixed pine pews.
The chancel is separated from the nave by a high 19th century pointed chancel arch and is raised by a single step. 3-light east window with stained glass. 2-light window, like those in the nave, set within north wall. The floor is paved with decorative encaustic and glazed floor tiles. Oak choir stalls to north and south, frontals with blind quatrefoils in roundels. The altar is raised by a further three steps. A decorative stone aumbry is set within the north wall of the chancel. To the south, a low 14th century pointed arch leads into a lean-to vestry lit by a 2-light square-headed window in the south wall. 13th century coffins are set vertically within east and west walls.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century oak frame with stone mensa c 1927
Pulpit
17th century carved oak with fluted panels in Jacobean manner, with newer top c 1846 painted yellow
Lectern
19th century carved oak eagle 1890 by Jones and Willis
Font (component)
13th century octagonal bowl with lead lining on 19th century square base
Rail
19th century oak with low band of pierced quatrefoils in roundels c 1890
Stained Glass (window)
19th century east window c 1888
Tomb (component)
13th century set in exterior north chancel wall
Coffin
14th century x2 set into the interior east and west vestry walls
Plaque (component)
19th century x2 white marble memorial plaques hung on west wall for members of Coates family
Organ (component)
19th century reed organ attributed to John Malcoln & Co., of London, c 1890
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1559 with some gaps in the 18th century
Churchyard
Grid reference: TA 207 20
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
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
Sources
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