Bell 1 of 2
Founded by Thomas Norris 1637
Dove Bell ID: 58568 Tower ID: 22660 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Papworth St. Agnes: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: TL 269 644
The church stands on a mediaeval site; of the previous building, the tower arch (of c.1530) seems to remain and possibly one doorway, of fourteenth- century date. The church was rebuilt about 1530 under the will of Anthony Mallory. It is now almost entirely nineteenth-century, having been rebuilt in two stages by the Rector, the Revd. J.H. Sperling.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, four-bay aisleless nave with north porch; chancel with north vestry-cum-organ chamber.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church stands on a mediaeval site; of the previous building, the tower arch (of c.1530) seems to remain and possibly one doorway, of fourteenth- century date. The church was rebuilt about 1530 under the will of Anthony Mallory. It is now almost entirely nineteenth-century, having been rebuilt in two stages by the Rector, the Revd. J.H. Sperling.
Exterior Description
The west tower is of a common East Anglian type, with three unequal stages marked externally to correspond with the tower space, silence chamber and belfry. The ground floor has a sixteenth-century doorway in the west side with a four-centred head framed by continuous mouldings and a square outer frame with a moulded label and blank shields in the spandrels. Over this is a three-light window with flamboyant tracery, which sets the style for the rest of the church. The silence chamber has pierced quatrefoils in small rectangular frames in three faces, and the belfry has paired lights under four-centred heads. A clock face occupies an unusual position above the western belfry opening, just under the parapet. The parapet is battle mented, with a big gargoyle at each corner which may be mediaeval. There are no pinnacles. Buttresses with five offsets terminate at the level of the tops of the belfry lights; the two western buttresses are set diagonally, the other two being set at right angles to abut the west nave wall.
Three of the four bays of the nave on both north and south sides are filled with three-light windows with various flowing tracery designs. The second bay from the west on both walls is occupied by a doorway and therefore has no window; since the church is approached from the north, the north doorway is sheltered by a porch with a two-centred outer doorway above which ia a pierced trefoil in a roundel. The north wall of the chancel is taken up by a similar cross-gabled projection, slightly smailer, which houses the vestry. The south chancel wall has two two-light windows and the east window has three lights and intersectingtracery. All the bays of the nave and chancel are divided by buttresses externally and the walls stand on moulded plinths.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1854
The east window is dated 1854. The three lights represent The Angels at the Sepulchre, The Heavenly Host, and Two Angels at the Ascension.
Stained Glass
1854
Nave I: dated 1854 - The Visitation, The noble army of Martyrs, and The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Stained Glass
The chancel south windows are filled with etched grisaille of separate leaves on quarries.
Stained Glass
1854
Nave II: dated 1854 - The Pharisee and The Publican, Moses lifteth up the serpent in the Wilderness, and The Good Samaritan.
Stained Glass
1854
Nave III: dated 1854 - The three main scenes in this window represent the text -
He went and sold all that he had and bought it
Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is made dark because of the stained glass in all windows save those in the north nave wall. The tower space, entered by the west doorway, is two steps lower than the nave and has a brick floor which seems older than 1848. The arch to the nave, carried on semi-circular shafts, also seems to represent what was built there in the sixteenth century.
Architectural detail is limited to the surrounds of the windows and doorways. The jambs are entirely taken up by mouldings of various sorts which rise continuously to the apex of the arches. The chancel arch follows the same pattern on a larger scale.
The chancel is very dark indeed because there are no windows in the north wall, and those in the south wall are filled with heavily painted grisaille. The east window forms part of the series which continues in the nave.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The communion table is in the Jacobean style.
Rail
The communion rails have iron supports.
Lectern
The lectern is of oak, on a pedestal with geometrical patterns on the front of the desk.
Pulpit
The pulpit is of oak with traceried panels.
Organ (object)
c.1854
The organ has one manual, with a name plate which states that it is by "G.M. Holdich, Organ Builder, 4 Judd Place East, New Road, London".
Font (object)
The font is nineteenth-century, with a panelled octagonal stem and differing tracery patterns in each of the eight faces of the bowl.
Bells
Bell 2 of 2
Founded by Thomas Norris 1637
Dove Bell ID: 58569 Tower ID: 22660 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 269 644
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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