Diameter: 28.25" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by William Seller & Humphrey Wilkinson 1683
Dove Bell ID: 51829 Tower ID: 18861 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Burwell: St Michael & All Angels
Overview
Grid reference: TF 355 796
The chief feature of the church from a distance and from closer quarters is the three-stage west tower, rugged in outline as a result of the severe weathering of soft stone dressings. It is of three stages, although the external string courses do not run parallel to the floors inside.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, aisleless nave with south porch; chancel.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church has a Norman chancel arch, and the tall, long have seems to be also of that date originally. There has been a south aisle which has since been demolished, and the re-used windows in the arches are Perpendicular. So is the west tower, with a top stage rebuilt in brick which is probably eighteenth-century. The church was restored in 1911.
Exterior Description
The chief feature of the church from a distance and from closer quarters is the three-stage west tower, rugged in outline as a result of the severe weathering of soft stone dressings. It is of three stages, although the external string courses do not run parallel to the floors inside. The lowest stage appears to have a moulded two-centred arch. Above this is a three-light Perpendicular window with panel tracery, mostly renewed. The north and south wells are blind. The middle stage, which is not distinguished externally, has a skeleton clock face in the west wall and a small lancet in the south wall. At this point the clasping buttresses terminate and above the south-west one is set a sundial, a flat stone act at an angle with an iron gnomon. The uppermost stage is of greensand on the west and half greensand and half brick on the north side; the other two faces are all of brick. The simple parapet has a continuous moulding and plain battlements above. The gargoyles at the western angles appear to be mediaeval.
The nave is even more of an architectural palimpsest, having been extended at one period by the addition of a south aisle and then reduced again. The north wall also shows signs of frequent restoration and repair at different periods. It is perhaps simplest to begin with it since there are almost no architectural features - only one window towards the east end (this no doubt the corollary of its exposed position). The window is of three lights with ogee heads and inverted ogee heads making simple tracery. It has no hoodhould. To the east, beyond a brick chimney, is a two-light rectangular window of indeterminate date. The rest of the wall needs proper archaeological scrutiny for any building dates to be made clear, but the most obvious feature is that the wall has been heightened by about three feet with a mixture of courses of brick and courses of limestone. This is probably eighteenth-century work.
The south nave wall has four arches enbedded within it. The two eastern arches are considerably larger than the two western ones, and it is possible either that they are of different periods or that the south aisle was partly separated to form a chapel. The second arch from the west now contains the doorway to the church, a wide opening with two chamfers and heads carved at the stops of the moulded hood. The porch which shelters it is of brick with a round-headed outer arch also of two chamfered orders but of indeterminate date. The two larger arches each now contain a three-light straight-headed Perpendicular window, the western one without even arched heads to the lights but sheltered by a moulded hood carved at the stops. The other is slightly more elaborate with trefoil-headed lights and a similar moulded hood. These two bays are separated by buttresses. The south nave wall, like the north, has been raised about three feet in brick. The nave is wider than the west tower and has stone weatherings at the top of the western angles to bridge the gap.
The chancel is of the same width as the nave, and appears to be basically Perpendicular in its present form although there is a much-renewed cinquefoiled lancet set in the rebuilt brick north wall. There are signs in the disturbed masonry nearby that a rood stair has been removed. The eastern angles have been rebuilt, possibly in 1911, but the most refined feature of the chancel is the south window, a large rectangle with ogee cinquefoiled heads to the three main lights and a moulded hood which returns at the ends. The east window by comparison is less ambitious, being of standard design of three lights under a four centred arch; the lights have cinquefoiled heads and the moulded hood returns at the ends.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1934
The east window has a panel in the central light of St. Michael, by Morris and Company.
Building Materials
Sandstone
12th onwards
GLAUCONITIC
Sandstone
12th onwards
SANDSTONE
Interior
Interior Description
The sloping site of the church is more noticeable inside the building than outside, for there is, unusually, a step down at the west end, then the nave floor slopes upwards towards the east and the chancel floor is raised three steps above the nave with a further two stops at the communion rails. There is a burial vault beneath this part of the building entered by a stone set in the floor under the chancel arch. Architecturally the interior is very simple, and a uniform coat of plaster obscures any irregularities which there may be. The finest feature is undoubtedly the chancel arch, a broad Norman opening with one order of nook shafts and one order of plain responds. The shafts are carved capitals, one with two horses or stage facing each other and the other with volutes. The inner order of the arch is decorated with busy but flat decoration like chip-carving. Outside this is a roll moulding and then at the edge a billet moulding. Above the arch on the north side is a small framed area of wallpainting. At the opposite end of the nave is the tall narrow tower arch, all of greensand with imposts of limestone. This is closed by a screen to form a vestry and on the ceiling of the tower space are fixed three large carved angels which must have come from the former nave roof. The present thin nave roof with numerous tie-beams and arcading between them and the ceiling dates from 1911, as does the plaster on the walls. The two south windows and the single north window are all within plain reveals and the west end of the nave is dark.
Turning to the east, the chancel is by contrast flooded with light from the large south window. The unusual proportions caused by the burial vault below are perhaps the most remarkable feature. Otherwise, like the nave, the walls are plastered and give away nothing of their history. There is only double piscina in the south wall of the sanctuary with plain round drains.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1915
Of oak, in a convincing late mediaeval style with five round-arched traceried panels along the front and a grey marble mensa incised with five crosses.
Pulpit
The pulpit is a fine piece, Elizabethan in date and octagonal in plan with two rows of panels, the upper with round arches inside and the lower with a typical square-within-a-square design. The cornice is carved with strapwork. The former backboard seems to have been made into the clergy desk; it has a panel in the centre rather like those on the lower register of the pulpit, and consoles at each side.
Lectern
c.1880
The lectern is an oak pedestal
Font (object)
1463
Somewhat recut but retains (if it is to be trusted) a blackletter inscription round the foot which dates it to 1463; it is octagonal with shields in quatrefoils round the bowl, a design which certainly seems to fit the date. The cover is flat, of oak with inlaid trefoils and a ring handle.
Rail
c.1910
The communion rails are of oak, c.1910, carved with large flat bunches of grapes.
Screen
The screen across the tower arch is in a Bodleyesque style, of oak with traceried arches and a moulded cornice.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TF 355 796
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
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