Weight: 588 lbs Diameter: 30.5" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by William Evans 1764
Dove Bell ID: 942 Tower ID: 17501 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Brampton Abbotts: St Michael
Diocese of Hereford
Closed Church, 618224
http://rawchurch.org.uk/Overview
Grid reference: SO 600 264
A small Medieval church with a distinctive shingled bell tower set in the rolling fields and coppices of rural Herefordshire. The Medieval building consists of an early 12th-century nave and chancel and timber-framed south porch, the latter dated to the 14th. The church was restored in 1848 and 1857, in the latter phase the chancel was substantially remodelled and the north vestry was added. This is a small and compact building of considerable charm.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay nave with bell turret over the western bay, south porch, 2-bay chancel and large north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave c 10m (35ft) x 6m (19ft), chancel and vestry 5m x 4m.
Footprint of Church buildings: 168 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Brampton is recorded in Domesday, assessed at two hides, no church is mentioned. Brampton was held by Gloucester Abbey, hence the later name. A part of Brampton to the east of the church was held by the monastery of St Guthlac in Hereford. The area was subject to frequent Welsh raids into the early 12th century, and it may be that the church was built (or rebuilt) after this activity reduced. At the Dissolution Brampton was granted to the Rudhall family, the patronage of the church passing to the Bishop of Hereford.
The Medieval building consists of an early 12th-century nave and chancel and timber-framed south porch, the latter dated to the 14th. Apart from the 12th-century east window the Medieval windows have been variously dated to the 13th and 15th centuries, but could all be 14th; and there has been much replacement. The west wall was perhaps rebuilt and the belcote added in 1686, see the inscription above the west window.
The church was restored in 1848 and 1857, in the latter phase the chancel was substantially remodelled and the north vestry was added. A print showing it before the latter restoration (1853?) shows the south side with a 3-light to the nave and a 4-light and the east lancet to the chancel, but no lancets to the side walls which must, if this is accurate, have all been additions of 1857, made to match the east window.
A further restoration was undertaken in 1907-8 by W D Caröe with a bequest provided in memory of Rev H S Evans, described in the ICBS archive as “reflooring, 5 new windows (half the total) and general repairs”. The bell turret was largely rebuilt and the roofs re-slated at this time, the porch restored and the church refurnished. Caröe attempted to restore the church to its pre-Victorian appearance, for example remaking the 4-light south chancel window which had been taken out and replaced with a lancet by his predecessors.
Exterior Description
This is a small and compact building of considerable charm. Its square shingle-clad bell turret with pyramidal roof would not look out of place in rural Sussex, but the red stone identifies the region. The belfry has small 2-light openings with round-arched heads, brass weathercock to the roof.
The west wall is pierced by a 4-light pointed window with decorated tracery of the 14th century. The plaque above this has the date 1686 and the names of two churchwardens. Coped gables and notably lower chancel and gabled vestry, no buttresses, plain gable cross finials.
The south wall of the nave has a 19th-century trefoil-headed light to the west bay, adjacent to the partly timber-framed gabled porch, which retains much 14th-century timber. The side walls have two square lights each, glazed with good ferrementa, the porch generally having a definite Caröe look about it. The square-headed window east of the porch with three trefoil-headed lights is shown in an early 19th-century pre-restoration print and dates to the 14th century, though restored.
The north nave wall has one lancet with trefoiled head at the east end adjacent to the bulge in the wall for the rood stair, and west of this another 3-light window as to the south wall, which may be by Caröe. West of this, opposite the south doorway, is clear evidence of a blocked doorway.
The chancel has a small restored early 12th-century round arch-headed lancet with splayed reveals to the east end and a 14th-century style trefoil-headed light and square-headed window with four trefoiled lights to the east bay (Caröe’s replacement). The gabled north vestry has a square-headed 2-light in the east wall and paired lancets under a hoodmould to the west, trefoiled heads again, and a pointed doorway in the north wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
12th Century An early 12th Century 3-bay nave
Bellcote
20th Century A bell turret over the western bay of the nave, largely rebuilt during restoration in 1907/8.
Porch
14th Century South porch.
Chancel
12th Century 2-bay chancel.
Vestry
19th Century Large north vestry, added during restoration of 1857.
Building Materials
Sandstone
12th Century
Brownstone
Sandstone
12th Century Red sandstone rubble.
Sandstone
20th Century A sandstone slate roof, reslated during 1907/8 repairs.
Tile
20th Century Tiled roof to bell turret
Shingle
20th Century Cedar shingle cladding to bell turret after restoration of 1907/8.
Timber
12th Century Medieval timber roofs and porch.
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior is whitewashed, but the rubble construction of the thick 12th-century walls is clearly visible. The nave has an open arch-braced roof with a collar, again probably 14th-century, with an arch-braced frame supporting the tower on two posts to the west bay. Floor of quarry tiles, mostly under red carpet. The nave is fully pewed with good quality benches which have square moulded ends in a 16th-century style.
The upper part of the rood stair survives, twisting into the thickness of the wall above the chancel arch on the north side. The latter dates to the late 14th-century and is broad and 4-centred, of two chamfered orders carried on re-set and widened 12th-century responds, these with attached shafts with scalloped capitals to outer western order. The filigree chancel screen is by Caröe, as are the chancel furnishings including a sanctuary lamp, good choir stalls with intricate tracery and stylised poppyheads, and a large oak reredos around the east lancet window. This is a very fine liturgical setting and a good example of Caröe’s work.
Within the chancel there is the scalloped bowl of a 12th-century pillar piscina set on a much later, 19th- or early 20th-century shaft and base. The floor is covered in paisley carpet covering ledger slabs, barrel-vaulted timber ceiling with cross-ribbing. The 2-bay arcade to the vestry / organ chamber has a central column of white stone with moulded capital and arches. Behind a good iron screen with gate it contains the displayed pipes, console and bulk of the organ with just enough space to move around behind. There is an altar against the east wall.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
18th Century Altar table with turned legs in the vestry.
Altar
20th Century Oak altar table, given in memory of Rev Evans in 1908.
Reredos
20th Century Large and intricately carved tripartite Gothic oak reredos with four gilded angel figures in niches. Part of a scheme with the window behind and other furnishings, given by the husband of Elizabeth Harriet Bird dated 1908 by an adjacent plaque. By Caröe.
Pulpit
19th Century Hexagonal oak with moulded cornice.
Lectern
19th Century Brass eagle.
Font (object)
15th Century Octagonal stone font with quatrefoil panels and trumpet-shaped stem with faces. It dates to the mid 15th century, and was probably made at the same time as the font at Upton Bishop. Restored 1908. Ogee shaped dark-stained oak cover with filigree tracery and crockets, 1908. A panel with tracery behind the font under the west window appears contemporary, with later plain light-stained panelling above.
Stained Glass (window)
20th Century The small east window has the Ascension with symbols of the Evangelists above and below, probably by Fouracre & Watson of Plymouth. Caroe may have had a hand in (or supervised) its design. Donated in 1908 with the reredos.
Stained Glass (window)
19th Century 3-light with six scenes depicting Christ from Nativity to Ascension. Possibly by O'Connor. Donated in memory of James Barrett, died 1859 (small tablet with red and black lettering).
Stained Glass (window)
19th Century East vestry window, Wedding at Canaa and the Ascension. Hardman & co with John Hardman Powell type designs.
Stained Glass (window)
19th Century North vestry window, lancet with Christ's charge to Peter.
Plaque (component)
16th-20th Century Various monuments of local and historical art significance throughout the church.
Organ (component)
20th Century A 2-manual organ by Nicholson & Lord of Walsall, c 1908. A good instrument.
Bells
Bell 2 of 3
Founded by William Evans 1764
Dove Bell ID: 48085 Tower ID: 17501 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 3 of 3
Founded by William Evans 1764
Dove Bell ID: 48086 Tower ID: 17501 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1561 held at the Public Record Office, with those from 1982 onwards held at the church.
Fine Bishop's chair, Jacobean in style.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 600 264
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
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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