Nominal: 727 Hz Weight: 1512 lbs Diameter: 43.63" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Darbie 1678
Dove Bell ID: 66 Tower ID: 17773 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Akenham: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: TM 147 488
The exterior of this church exhibits a pleasing variety of styles and materials; the-chancel walls are rendered, the nave and tower are faced with flint and the south chapel is of mellow brick.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel, nave, south-east chapel and south-west tower.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church has an Early English chancel and a 14th century nave, though evidence of an earlier building is provided by the Norman slit window in the north wall. On the south side of the nave, in the angle between the nave and the small south-west tower, is a red brick chapel of c.1650.
Exterior Description
The exterior of this church exhibits a pleasing variety of styles and materials; the-chancel walls are rendered, the nave and tower are faced with flint and the south chapel is of mellow brick.
The south-western tower is of two unequal stages. The larger, lower stage is relieved only by the simply chamfered south doorway and by one small window on each side. The belfry-stage has a wider round-headed window on each face. Over the windows is a string-course with small projecting corbel-heads at each angle, and in the centre of each side. The embattled parapet above the string course is faced with darker flints, and both the embrasures and the merlons have stone cappings. The upper parts of the tower are clearly of later date than those lower down.
To the east of the tower is the small square chapel, built of red brick, with a plain parapet and a low pitched roof; In the centre of the south-side is a Perpendicular window of three transomed lights under a four-centred head. The window in the east wall is of the same type but has only two lights; however, it is clear from the surrounding brickwork that this window did originally have three lights. There is no apparent reason for the alteration.
The west wall of the nave is buttressed to north and south by large double-stepped buttresses. The wall is completely plain, apart from the central three light window with tracery in the Perpendicular style. The north wail is almost equally plain and is piercec by a small, Norman slit window with pillared james and a two light cusped window further eastward. The chancel has angle buttresses at the external angles. The windows are for the most part smaller than those in the rest of the church with the exception of the three-light east window. On the south-side the doorway is flanked by two wide lancet lights and on the north wall is a twolight window with a square head.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the building is plastered throughout. The thickness of the walls, which is not apparent from the outside, is here clearly shown by the depth of the window reveals. The wide four-centred chancel arch rests on demi-octagonal corbels and capitals, and the arch which opens into the south chapel is of the same kind. The timberwork of the five-sided chancel roof is hidden behind boarding, but the embattled wall-plates have been left exposed, The nave roof has tie beams and king-posts, but the rafters have also been boarded.
Fixtures and fittings
Pulpit
c. Mid 18th Century
A wooden hexagonal pulpit with moulded top and bottom, standing on a central stem. The sides of the pulpit have inset panels with four-centred heads.
Font (object)
Octagonal stone font with cusped tracery patterns on the bowl and stem. The decoration appears to have been re-cut, and the font generally restored.
Pew (object)
Both the nave and chapel have box pews. Those in the nave are of fair quality only, with traceried ends, but the pews in south chapel are stoutly made of oak, and appear to be of a somewhat earlier date.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TM 147 488
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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