Gunton: St Andrew
Overview
Grid reference: TG 229 341
Robert Adam had a passionate interest in the design of landscape parks, and the buildings which form such an important element within them, and there can be no doubt about the significance of the siting of the church some 200 yards east of the east facade of the Hall with its temple-like frontispiece facing the house.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A simple rectangle
Exterior Description
Grey brick, with stone dressings and stone for the portico: the roof covering is of slates.
Robert Adam had a passionate interest in the design of landscape parks, and the buildings which form such an important element within them, and there can be no doubt about the significance of the siting of the church some 200 yards east of the east facade of the Hall with its temple-like frontispiece facing the house. The portico is tetrastyle, two columns deep from west to east, and the order (as befits its rustic situation) is Tuscan. The frieze is ornamented by four paterae placed above each of the columns and both the entableture and the pediment are dentilled. Within the portico is the plain rectangular west door, over which is an architrave supported on scrolled consoles. Either side of the doorway is a rectangular window opening, lighting the stairs to the gallery, and above windows and entrance door are three recessed blank panels.
The west front is the show front and, as has been said, it faces the mansion. It cannot be that the rest of the building was ever intended to be particularly visible except from close quarters for not only is the medium almost unrelieved brick but the elevations are of the chastest simplicity. Windows are placed high up, four on the north and south sides but none in the east wall, and below the windows are blank recessed rectangular panels on the north and deep niches on the south.
The entablature running round the church is the same as on the pediment and has at intervals the same rather charming six-petalled paterae. They appear to be stone rather than plaster.
Interior
Interior Description
The western bay of the church is divided internally as follows. In the centre is a circular vestibule, with a door leading into the vestry on the north and to the gallery staircase on the south. The vestibule is paved with stone flags, and furnished with four curving benches which may well be original. There is a delicately moulded frieze and in the centre of the ceiling a four-lobed device of superimposed palm leaves with smaller fronds forming a cross in the middle and spiralling out from the centre sprays of husks, one of Adam's most characteristic motifs.
The wooden gallery front is of three bays, divided by two fluted Ionic pilasters; at either side are two further pilasters, placed flat against the north and south walls of the nave. The capitals are ornamented with swags and gilded. (The same enrichment is used for the three-quarter columns and pilasters which adorn the east wall and form the frame for the reredos). Above the central door of the gallery is an architrave on consoles like the external entrance door, but, between it and the lintel is a richly carved frieze of tendrilled scrolls. The same motif is used for the plaster frieze which is supported by the pilasters and is in turn the support for the fluted balusters of the gallery.
Either side of the centre bay of the gallery the panelling is recessed and forms the backs of the family pews for the Hall, raised three steps above the level of the nave. In other words the arrangement is strongly reminiscent of a college chapel, and indeed the pews were originally set facing inwards; they were altered to their present form, i.e. facing west, re-using the old woodwork, sometime earlier this century. The plaster frieze of the gallery is continued all round the church, forming a strong horizontal element just below the windows. Below this frieze the north and south walls are plain except for the wooden panelling to dado height, and above it the windows and the areas between them are emphasised (though with reticence) by fielded panels. At ceiling level a richly moulded frieze again goes round all four sides, carrying across the gallery front at the west where it is supported at the sides by plaster brackets of uncommonly rich elaboration and the soffit ornamented by an interwoven motif.
The ceiling itself is a masterly design. In the centre is a circlet of feathers and foliage, and then a bold elliptical shape extends from west to east with a wide border of rosettes enclosed within an intertwining band. The awkward corners thus created are resolved elongated shapes with two straight sides and one curved. The floor of the nave is paved with stone, black marble diamonds at the corners.
Fixtures and fittings
Desk
Reading desk. Cut down from the original pulpit. With a beautifully carved motif of fronds on the front.
Altar
The altar painting is said to be a contemporarycopy of a painting by a Dr Florentine Renaissance master, and depicts the Virgin and Child with St. Anne, St. Elizabeth and St. John the Baptist.
Lectern
19th Century
Font (object)
The font is a small octagonal bowl of beautiful grey and white marble, supported on a wooden stand.
Organ (object)
The organ is 19th century, possibly quite early 19th century, in a modest but pleasant Greek Revival case. Two manual and pedals, eleven speaking stops.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TG 229 341
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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