Lower Gravenhurst: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: TL 110 352
his fine small church, built of ironstone with limestone dressings, was originally a chapel-of-ease to Newnham Priory in Bedford. The present church is largely the work of the 14th and 15th centuries, probably incorporating masonry from an earlier church on the site.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel and west tower.
Exterior Description
This fine small church, built of ironstone with limestone dressings, was originally a chapel-of-ease to Newnham Priory in Bedford. The present church is largely the work of the 14th and 15th centuries, probably incorporating masonry from an earlier church on the site (a small brass on the south wall of the chancel is inscribed in French to Sir Robert de Bilhemore, d.1361, who was -responsible for rebuildingthe church). The embattled tower has a pyramidal roof and a spike capped by a large leaded cross: the south-east turret staircase projects slightly above the parapet. Both externally and internally no architectural division exists between the nave and chancel.
Interior
Interior Description
Despite the small size of the building, it is light and spacious: the walls are plastered and whitened and there is a fine mid-15th century roof with tie-beams and kingposts. The mediaeval tiles on the floor are simple in design and part of the church's essential:simplicity and honesty. One shallow step and a screen divide the nave from the chancel. The windows on the south side of the church are the most noteworthy: the eastern-most has simple cusped tracery, the westernmostflowing tracery.. In the south wall of the chancel is a 14th century double sedilia and a piscina: an embattled cresset juts out of the south chancel wall to the side of the altar. The presence of a second piscina on the south wall of the nave indicates that, even in this very small church, a mediaeval side altar stood in that position.
Fixtures and fittings
Bell Frame
16th C
Maker
Pickford
5.D
Date
16th C
Visit
CD 2/90
Description
Curved Bottom Cills
OFJ
1
Jurisdiction
Number of Bells
Material
Rail
c. 17th Century
Communion Rails with turned balusters
Screen
15th Century
Chancel screen with broad one-light divisions retainssome of its painted decoration.
Pew (object)
15th Century
The wooden pews are mostly 15th century and have buttressed ends.
Pulpit
Jacobean
The Jacobean pulpit and sounding board is decorated with simple carving, and close by is the iron bracket for the hour-glass.
Lectern
A good oak desk lectern with cared floral motifs.
Font (object)
Plain octagonal Perpendicular stone font
Organ (object)
Under the tower arch is an organ, the older part of which was built by Bevington. Some of the original painted decoration remains on the pipes.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 110 352
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
Submit a change
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