Chute Forest: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SU 308 520
The first glimpse from the road is of the tall shingled pyramidal spire rising above the surrounding foliage: it is a noble spire, rather Rhenish in appearance. The body of the church consists of a two-bay nave, with narrow north and south passage aisles, chancel and sanctuary. The north aisle is carried up behind the single-bay chancel and beyond it, eastwards, is the vestry.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, with north and south aisles; Chancel and sanctuary; north vestry; south-east tower and south-west porch.
Exterior Description
The first glimpse from the road is of the tall shingled pyramidal spire rising above the surrounding foliage: it is a noble spire, rather Rhenish in appearance. The body of the church consists of a two-bay nave, with narrow north and south passage aisles, chancel and sanctuary. The north aisle is carried up behind the single-bay chancel and beyond it, eastwards, is the vestry. The tower is carried over a quasi-transept on the south side of the chancel, deeper than the continuation of the north aisle but balancing it. The sanctuary is of two short bays with blank brick arcades. Entrance to the church is through a south west porch.
The exterior is of flint and brick, a characteristic mixture in the locality; stone is used only for the window surrounds and the belfry-stage of the tower with colonettes, double-headed openings and a corbel-table carved with grotesque heads. The tiled roof sweeps down in a long low line on either side the angle changing slightly at the transition from nave to aisle. The west window is a composition of three wide lancets with a quatrefoil, above, all contained within an arched panel of patterned brickwork and flanked by a pair of buttresses.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The east window is later, and in memory of Michael Randolph Fowle who died at Ypres in 1914.
Interior
Interior Description
The two bays of the nave are wide, and supported on central stone piers. All else is of brick. Stalls and pews are no doubt those designed by Pearson. The walls are of unusual thickness and the deep window reveals are responsible for the sharp contrasts of light and shade and consequent sculptural qualities of the east, north and south walls. Although nave, chancel and sanctuary are essentially a single space they are gently broken up by the brick arches separating sanctuary from chancel, chancel from nave, and the east and west bays of the nave from one another. The timber roof structure is a fine, vigorous design. Chancel and sanctuary have tiled floors of high quality.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
Stone
Pulpit
Linked to low chancel screen. Stone.
Reredos
Stone. Five figures representing Our Lord and the four Evangelists.
Credence
Stone.
Sedilia
Stone.
Clock
Tower clock by Smiths' of Clerkenwell, with a stone face on the south wall of the tower.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 308 520
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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