Weight: 123 lbs Diameter: 18.38" Bell 1 of 1
Dove Bell ID: 50651 Tower ID: 18085 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Ballidon: All Saints
Overview
Grid reference: SK 203 544
A very remote small medieval chapel-of-ease located on a slope in a field above the site of the deserted medieval village of Ballidon, in lightly populated countryside just within the south-eastern edge of the Peak District National Park. The chapel was probably founded in the 12th century, though an earlier church building on the site cannot be discounted; Ballidon is mentioned in Domesday, but also in a charter of King Edgar in 963. The walls are built of a mixture of dressed sandstone and rubble and dressed limestone, with sandstone ashlar dressings and an open pitched pine nave and oak chancel roof, decked with stone slabs.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West belcote, 2-bay nave, 2-bay chancel, south-west porch and north-east organ chamber/vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave 9m (30ft) by 5.5m (17’6ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
The chapel was probably founded in the 12th century, though an earlier church building on the site cannot be discounted; Ballidon is mentioned in Domesday, but also in a charter of King Edgar in 963. The chapel is first mentioned as a chapel-of-ease to the mother church at Bradbourne in 1205, which at this date was given to the Priory at Dunstable. The village shrunk to the present hamlet to the north of the church in the post-medieval period.
The building was altered, partly rebuilt and restored on several occasions, so much so that the church is now an intriguing patchwork. Its antiquity is revealed by a number of external and internal features, the latter more obvious. The inner south doorway is 12th century, as is the blocked doorway on the north side. There would appear to have been a campaign of work in the late 14th century, as some of the nave and chancel windows are of this date, and possibly the chancel roof, though this may be somewhat later. The font may also be roughly of this date, although this unusual piece is difficult to date, see below. This is one of several puzzles, which only a detailed survey of the building and site could solve.
There were restorations in 1822 when the nave roof was perhaps replaced, plaster ceilings were inserted and the walls plastered, apparently over what might have been post-Reformation texts. It was restored again in 1882, the latter doubtless responsible for the sandstone facing of the west end and the belcote, and the porch. The ceilings and wall plaster were removed back to the stone. The chancel arch and south doorway were restored, the former completely replaced. The furnishings and fittings look to be mostly early 20th century.
The chapel and the surrounding area to the north and west comprise an important archaeological site dating from the Early-Late Medieval period, including the deserted medieval village.
Exterior Description
This is a compact and attractive church, its muted speckled stonework very much a part of the surrounding landscape. A little vertical emphasis is given by the gabled belcote in the plain west façade, which is of faced and squared masonry pierced by a single lancet and a plain square opening in the gable head. The church has coped gables throughout, the chancel gable has a ball finial but the gable finials from the belcote, porch and chancel have gone.
The south porch looks very fresh, probably an addition of 1882. The external doorway has a plain chamfered round-headed arch. The inner entrance has chamfered jambs and a plain chamfered round-arched head, replaced on the outside but incorporating the original stones on the inside. There are stone benches and a stoup on the east side of the doorway. The plank door has scrolling ironwork. The blocked doorway opposite is simple, round-headed; it is not visible on the inside.
There is one square-headed 2-light window in the nave and chancel south wall with Perpendicular tracery and labels which look as though they might be original, though perhaps reinserted after the Victorian reconstruction. There is also a small low-side window in the west bay of the chancel. The east window is a 2-light with a quatrefoil in the head which looks like a Victorian replacement, as does the small quatrefoil opening in the gable. The vestry has a small arch-headed window in its south wall and a plain stack.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1883
Stained glass in the east window depicting the scene at the Garden of Gethsemane, dedication obscured by the reredos, but date 1883 can be made out from outside.
Building Materials
Sandstone
Dressed sandstone, with sandstone ashlar dressings
Limestone
Dressed limestone
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is very simple and quite atmospheric in the hazy natural light allowed in by the pastel coloured window glass, the stone walls exposed, the light stained furniture muted; only the red carpet jars. The extraordinary font just inside the door is undoubtedly the highlight, richly carved with figures. Looking above this there is a square fireplace set half way up into the west wall near the south-west corner, which clearly served a room at this level, perhaps for the priest to stay in when he visited this remote chapel. The nave softwood roof has tie beams and arch braces, it has clearly been replaced, probably in 1882. The chancel however has what appears to be a medieval or early post-medieval roof, partly restored, which might repay closer attention.
The nave is fully pewed with open-backed benches. The chancel arch is round-headed and plain with simple imposts, there is a low stone screen with a simple moulded top projecting at the base. There is a stone Lady altar table set on miniature stone columns against the north side of the chancel arch. There are Commandment Boards each side of the chancel arch and also flanking the chancel east window, tile tablets attached to wooden boards.
The floor has red carpet over stone flags and decorative tiles in the chancel. The organ pipes dominate the north side of the chancel, a small passageway behind the organ allows access to a tiny cupboard-like space for a vestry, which even has a small fireplace, presumably pre-dating the insertion of the organ. Oak panelling under the stained glass window provides for a dignified focus at the east end.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Early 20th Century
Oak chest, tracery panels to front
Reredos
Early 20th Century
Oak panelling with a central section containing an arch-headed aumbry recess with doors opening to reveal a miniature gaudily painted Romanesque arch with zig-zag enclosing a simple cross, and a tile inset into the door with a depiction of the Crucifixion. The panelling continues along the north wall and has a projecting credence shelf.
Pulpit
Early 20th Century
The pulpit is oak, hexagonal, with simple blind panels, brought at some point from elsewhere.
Lectern
Early 20th Century
Simple iron and brass reading stand.
Font (object)
14th Century
Probably late 14th-century, possibly earlier, gritstone font. Victorian roll-moulded Victorian foot and octagonal base, plain lid with scrolled wrought iron handle, given 1894 in memory of Samuel Beresford’s father.
Organ (object)
Two manual organ, by Albert Keates of Sheffield. Large array of plain pipes, rather overpowering in this small chapel.
Rail
Early 20th Century
Simple oak hand rail
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 203 544
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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