Stalling Busk old St Matthew
Overview
Grid reference: SD 916 863
Almost square, now roofless, but originally with a single broad pitched roof carried on transverse arcades. South rectangular porch. In the east wall there are two rectangular window openings, three in the north wall and two plus the doorway in the south wall, there are no openings in the west wall. Only one of the east windows retains a vertical mullion to suggest the original appearance. On the outer face the windows have lintels, and on the inner shallow segmental arches of narrow voussoirs.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Almost square, now roofless, but originally with a single broad pitched roof carried on transverse arcades. South rectangular porch.
Dimensions:
11.5m by 11.7m
Description of Archaeology and History
A local man named James Lobley first built a chapel on this site in 1603. This structure fell into disrepair and led to a rebuilding in 1722, the remains of which constitute the present building. It fell into disuse after the erection of a new church in the village in 1908. A faculty was applied for in 1913 in order to allow the few contents to be removed to the new church and the roof to be removed, along with the windows and timbers. The faculty was granted on the condition that the materials were sold and the proceeds used for a new boundary wall; it was also stipulated that the incumbent and churchwardens ensure the site was “preserved in a decent and proper manner”.
In the 1970’s the bell-cote fell from the west gable and this prompted some consolidation work to be carried out in 1980-1. The east gable deteriorated to the extent of having a noticeable lean and partially collapsed in 1996; restoration work was carried out in 2000 with funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund (commemorated by a brass plaque) and the building now appears to be in a sound condition.
Exterior Description
After nearly a century of disuse the old church is now roofless, and even the bell-cote, noted by Pevsner in 1966, has now vanished. There is still, however enough surviving to indicate the highly unusual plan of the building. Basically it is a square with a broad gable to east and west, the latter now taken down level with the north and south walls but originally capped by a square bell-cote. In the east wall there are two rectangular window openings, three in the north wall and two plus the doorway in the south wall, there are no openings in the west wall. Only one of the east windows retains a vertical mullion to suggest the original appearance. On the outer face the windows have lintels, and on the inner shallow segmental arches of narrow voussoirs.
The south doorway has a lintel and is preceded by a small porch, of which the outer doorway also has a lintel. The inner doorway has a rebate and chamfered jambs and there are stone benches at each side of the porch. The interior has two arcades of two bays each, with segmental arches, all four of which still survive. The arcades run across the building from north and south, not along it, and old photographs of the interior which hang in the 1908 church show that this meant that the pulpit could be placed against the pier of the east arcade with the altar against the east wall in the space behind it, a practical if unorthodox solution to the planning of a preaching church. This arrangement is now completely lost as is every furnishing including the plaster from the walls. A rough stone altar built in the middle of the north wall does not represent the original arrangement of the building.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 916 863
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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