Nominal: 2795.5 Hz Weight: 56 lbs Diameter: 12.25" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Richard Sanders 1721
Dove Bell ID: 50996 Tower ID: 18336 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Billesley: All Saints
Overview
Grid reference: SP 147 568
At first sight the church with pronounced angle quoins and big round headed windows filled with clear glass seems entirely seventeenth-century in date. Evidence of earlier periods may however be seen in several places. In the north and south walls are jambs of former mediaeval windows close to the present window openings, and in the centre of the north wall is a blocked fourteenth-century doorway with a two-centred head. In the south wall is some herringbone coursing under and to the east of the western window.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with apsidal chancel, west porch and south transeptal vestry.
Description of Archaeology and History
Although now predominantly of 1692, there is considerable evidence of a Romanesque structure incorporated within the walls of the church.
Exterior Description
At first sight the church with pronounced angle quoins and big round headed windows filled with clear glass seems entirely seventeenth-century in date. Evidence of earlier periods may however be seen in several places. In the north and south walls are jambs of former mediaeval windows close to the present window openings, and in the centre of the north wall is a blocked fourteenth-century doorway with a two-centred head. In the south wall is some herringbone coursing under and to the east of the western window. High on the wall, just below eaves level, may be seen patchings of stonework which seen to indicate small twelfth-century windows. Although all the apse is seventeenth-century now, its plan suggests a former apsidal building of Norman date.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is a rectangle with walls comparatively tall for the floor area. The height is accentuated by the four large windows filled with clear glass which are placed towards the west and east ends of the north and south walls. Each window has a noulded surround and square imposts. The sills also are moulded.
The apsidal chancel is lower than the nave, and has an east window of the same design but less tall than the four in the nave walls. The curved tiled roof is an attractive feature of the exterior of the building. The moulded cornice which appears on the other walls of the church at caves level has here been obscured by repairs in cement.
The interior shows no sign of any period earlier than 1692, and indeed little of any later period either. The apse is divided structurally from the nave by a wide moulded arch which frames the arrangement of the chancel.
The gallery occupies the western one-third of the church supported by beans set in the side walls and not by any colurms between. On the front is a central oval panel with a brass shield-shaped plate in the middle conmemorating the wife of the builder of the church. The curved staircase to the gallery is partly accommodated within the reveal of the north-west window, and the seating follows a curious arrangement.
The walls of the nave bear evidence to the importance of the neighbouring house to the church, being covered with nemorials to the Mills family and others who have occupied Billesley Hall. The south transept was formerly a family pew, and communicates with the nave through an arch similar to the chancel arch with the same attempt at a keystone in the centre.
Fixtures and fittings
Rail
1692
The Communion rails terminate each side of the central opening also with four twisted uprights, the lengths of rails being supported on more of the same.
Font (object)
c.1692
The font may be of 1692, but is difficult to date on stylistic grounds. It is octagonal with plain Latin crosses in high relief on alternate faces of the bowl.
Reredos
1907
The reredos has the inscription on a brass plate 'Carved and presented by Mary, Marchioness of Hertford 1907; presumably, inappropriate as the three Gothic panels carved with lilies, grapes and roses are in this church, the parish had to accept.
Sculpture (object)
The Romanesque sculpture built into the west wall of the vestry is a fragment about 20 inches by 11 inches, with a figure of Christ with a cross staff and a nimbus.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 147 568
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
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.