Leigh: All Saints Old Chancel
Overview
Grid reference: SU 58 928
The present building is the surviving chancel of the mediaeval church of Leigh and dates from the mid thirteenth century; the nave and west bell-cote, together with the south porch, were demolished in 1897 and rebuilt on a site nearer the village about half a mile further south.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel, with a small bell-cote contrived in the east gable of the nave which still remains as the west wall of the chapel.
Description of Archaeology and History
The present building is the surviving chancel of the mediaeval church of Leigh and dates from the mid thirteenth century; the nave and west bell-cote, together with the south porch, were demolished in 1897 and rebuilt on a site nearer the village about half a mile further south. Besides being in need of repair, the building was subject to frequent flooding from the small but unpredictable Thames. It was also, because of its distance from the village, redundant. The architect for the rebuilding of the nave, bell-cote and porch (with a new chancel to his own design) was C.E. Ponting, who was persuaded to do the work against his better judgement. It may be due to him that the chancel was left on the original site and restored to serve both as a mark of historical continuity and, more practically, as a chapel for the churchyard.
Exterior Description
It is immediately evident from the gate to the churchyard that the existing building forms but part of a church, since the east gable of the nave was retained as the west wall of the chapel, and still has stone tiles on the slopes.
A tiny aperture in the apex of the gable houses a small bell which seems to have existed originally and must have been the sanctus bell. On the crest of the gable is a small weathered cross of stone which also is mediaeval. The former chancel arch which pierces the wall and now serves as the entrance is exceptionally small for its former purpose, yet it seems not to have been altered in 1897.
The south wall has two openings against the nave wall is a priest's doorway with a finely moulded surround and a hood moulding terminating in a human head and a beast's head, both much eroded. Beside the doorway (which is now disused) is a three-light window which is a fifteenth-century insertion with cinquefoiled heads to the lights and a horizontal hood-mould which returns at the ends. The oak wall-plate is visible externally along the top of the wall.
The eastern angles of the building are supported by low diagonal buttresses, and the apex of the east gable also has a mediaeval cross. The thirteenth-century east window is a classic example of an intermediate stage in the development of window tracery. The hood-moulding above is curved, as is the outline of the window head, but the three lights within it are lancets. Each has a trefoiled head, from which it is evident that the next stage will be bar tracery. The hood-mould is decorated with round knobs on the underside like incipient ball-flowers. The glass quarries which fill the three lights are much broken, but here and in the south window the original ferramenta may be seen.
The north wall of the building is featureless, with no windows or doorways.
Interior
Interior Description
Although most of the fittings were moved to the new site, the interior of the chancel is still furnished enough to give it great character. The unevenly plastered walls are decorated with fragmentary remains of painted texts within boldly painted borders (these extend over the east face of the west wall also, and lend credence to the theory that the chancel arch was not reduced by Ponting). The step for the communion rails remains.
The south window reveal is carried down to be used as sedilia, with a pretty trefoil-headed piscina in the east face. The floor is of stone throughout and the barrel vault is formed by plasterboard nailed to the curved rafters.
Fixtures and fittings
Table
17th Century
The Communion Table is seventeenth-century, in oak with turned baluster legs and stout stretchers.
Rail
c.1800
The Communion Rails date from c.1800, the uprights with flat Gothick tracery and an iron scroll support by the central gate.
Desk
The reading desk is made of fragments of old traceried panelling of the pattern of the rails re-worked.
Bench (seat)
Early 19th Century
Two benches.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 58 928
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.
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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