Weight: 1232 lbs Diameter: 38" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by William Haulsey 1620
Dove Bell ID: 5052 Tower ID: 10189 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Offord D'Arcy: St Peter
Overview
Grid reference: TL 216 664
The walls are of rubble with some ironstone and pebbles; the dressings are of Barnack stone and clunch and the roofs are covered with tiles and slates. The church is first seen from the south-east, from which point it masses into a satisfying composition of chancel gable, nave gable, south aisle gable and south porch gable all clustering at various distances from the spire which rises far above them all at the further end of the building.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower and spire; nave with north and south aisles and south porch; chancel.
Description of Archaeology and History
The north arcade has two mid-twelfth-century bays; the chancel was rebuilt about 1260 and about 1330 the south arcade and aisle were built; the tower and spire date from rather later, c.1370; in the late fifteenth-century the clerestory was raised and the north aisle was built. The spire was rebuilt in 1860. The south aisle roof was renewed in 1850, followed by the chancel roof in 1851.
Exterior Description
The walls are of rubble with some ironstone and pebbles; the dressings are of Barnack stone and clunch and the roofs are covered with tiles and slates.
The church is first seen from the south-east, from which point it masses into a satisfying composition of chancel gable, nave gable, south aisle gable and south porch gable all clustering at various distances from the spire which rises far above them all at the further end of the building. There are three stages divided externally by string courses. The two lower stages have clasping buttresses at the angles, between which is a three-light west window with cinquefoiled lights and no tracery under a two-contred head. The middle stage has pierced soundholes to the silence chamber in each of the three faces which may be seen, and these are in the form of small simple quatrefoils. The belfry stage has tall narrow paired belfry openings, the main lights with cinquofoiled heads and a quatrofoil between. The parapet is embattled without any indication of pinnacles or emphasis of the corners save for the four gargoyles, extended further by lead spouts.
The north aisle has three two-light windows in the north wall placed without particular regard for symmetry.
The north wall of the chancel has two windows; that which lights the stalls is pushed as far west as possible, and has two lights like the aisle window. The single narrow trefoiled lancet which lights the sanctuary is, correspondingly, close to the eastern corner of the chancel. The east window is a Perpendicular insertion with three cinquefoil lights and panel tracery under a four-centred arch. In the south wall are two windows corresponding to those in the north wall, with the addition of a priest's doorway midway between the two. The moulded label is covered with cement. On the east wall of the nave above the present chancel ridge may be seen lines of the former low-pitched roof of the nave.
While the north aisle has been seen as a typical unemphatic addition to the church under a pent roof, the south aisle, which is best seen as the church is first approached, is quite another matter. It is earlier by about one hundred and fifty years than its northern counterpart and stands under its own gable, being over half as wide again as the north aisle. Three of the four bays in the south wall have two-light Decorated windows with splayed mouchettes as tracery; the middle window has old head stops. The second bay from the west is occupies by a porch sheltering the main entrance to the church, with an outer arch of two chamfered orders which die into the responds. Each bay is divided by buttresses and at the corners are angle buttresses.
Interior
Interior Description
The inner doorway in the south porch is moulded into orders continuously from the floor to the apex of the arch, with a moulded label. Two steps lead down into the north aisle which, internally as externally, is the most refined part of the church. The piers of the arcade, of which there are three, are quatrefoil in section with prominent moulded capitals and chamfered arches of two orders. The responds have attached half-columns.
The windows all have internal labels with stained glass of decadent style in the middle window. There is a small but competent Jacobean wall monument we with figures carved in polychrome alabaster between the centre and the western window. The sill of the eastern window comes down as sedilia for the altar which once stood nearby, and in the east jamb is a piscina with an angle shaft and tiny vault within; it has a trefoiled arch to the north and west, and the shaft is octagonal, of marble. The vault has a small central boss carved as a face.
The north arcade is indeed a contrast, with two stout square piers relieved by roll mouldings at the angles which continue round the arches above the simple cushion capitals. The third bay is of rather later date, and the eastern respond which is uncommonly deep has been pierced by a nineteenth-century arch apparentlyan enlargement of a round-headed recess formerly in the north face. The arches are not roll-moulded towards the aisle.
The nave has a west gallery upon which stands the pipe front of the organ built in 1925; this obscures the tower arch of two moulded orders, the inner of which is carried on attached shafts, and also thus cuts out valuable light from the west window. The nave roof is of nineteenth-century construction resting on stone corbels which may date from c.1500.
The chancel arch is tall and wide, of two chamfered orders the inner of which, like the tower arch, is carried on attached shafts. Just below the capitals of these is mounted a wooden band of Decorated woodwork consisting of the tops of an arcade; this seems to have formed part of a screen.
The chancel has been much restored, and has an entirely nineteentle century roof which was erected in 1851. It is notable for the strength of the design, with incipient hammerbeams and pendants which might at first be taken for Jacobean work.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (object)
1925
The organ is a two manual instrument with thirteen speaking stops built in 1925 by Blackett and Howden of Newcastle; it has pneumatic action.
Font (object)
The font is nineteenth-century, circular with a roll moulding below the bowl which splays outwards towards the rim.
Lectern
19th Century
The lectern is a good mediaevalistic eagle of brass
Screen
The oak screen under the chancel arch constists of seven bays from the heal of a screen each with cinquefoiled cusped ogee heads and tracery with quatrefoils in roundels between. Split burned balusters are re-set on the end posts.
Rail
c.1860
The communion rails have quite lively leafs in the spandrels done in wrought iron.
Stall
c.1860
Pew (object)
c.1860
Pulpit
c.1860
Bells
Diameter: 29.5" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by Christopher Graye 1676
Dove Bell ID: 33744 Tower ID: 10189 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 34.5" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by Tobias I Norris 1618
Dove Bell ID: 33745 Tower ID: 10189 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 216 664
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 | 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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