Wentworth: Old Holy Trinity
Overview
Grid reference: SK 383 982
Although standing near the opulent nineteenth century church, the old church at Wentworth can be considered in its own right, for the later building is far enough off not to overshadow its more humble predecessor. The old church is best approached by way of the path which leads down the slope towards it. From this point, the south side of the building is seen, with the tower to the left, then the wall of the nave, and the roofed part of the building to the right.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, south wall of nave, chancel and north chancel aisle chapel. The chancel and chapel, the only parts of the church still roofed, together form a near-square externally, and internally are divided by an arcade of two arches. The east end of the north chapel is divided from the rest to form a vestry. The only part of the nave to remain is the south wall.
Description of Archaeology and History
All that remains of the church is the chancel and north chancel chapel, the south wall of the nave and the west tower. There are some mediaeval details in the chancel and the chapel, and the roof looks as though it might be fifteenth century, or at least timbers of that date re-used. The church was rebuilt in 1491, and most of the present appearanceof the tower dates from this time. Again, the church was reconstructedin 1684 by William, second Earl of Strafford, at a cost of £700. From this time dates the south wall of the nave with its square-framed windows and heraldic panels. The windows of the eastern part of the church also seem to date from this time, although the walls might be a little earlier in the same century. The chapel finally fell into disuse in 1877 when the Pearson church was opened for worship. In the 1920s, the old church was restored and repaired. It is uncertain at which period the walls were built which block the western arches of the chancel and the chapel, but since the windows correspond with those in other parts of the church, it is probable that these were re-used, perhaps from the nave.
Exterior Description
Although standing near the opulent nineteenth century church, the old church at Wentworth can be considered in its own right, for the later building is far enough off not to overshadow its more humble predecessor. The old church is best approached by way of the path which leads down the slope towards it. From this point, the south side of the building is seen, with the tower to the left, then the wall of the nave, and the roofed part of the building to the right. The tower now ends bluntly at a stringcourse with gargoyles at three of the corners. The present top stage has squat louvred openings for the belfry, a vernacular interpretation of Perpendicular. Further down, a stringcourse divides the stages and below this on the south wall is the square sundial stone, rudely cut into by the succeeding circular clock face. On the west wall at this level is a quatrefoil within a square frame, and in the lowest stage, the west wall has a three—light window with cinquefeiled heads set off centre to the north. The tower is now roofless and the arch to the nave blocked, the window to the west boarded up.
Tice south wall of the nave which joins tower to chancel is an attractive screen, almost a back-drop to this part of the churchyard,of inimitable originality. It would appear to date from the 1684 reconstruction. It is perfectly symmetrical about the central norch. In the wall each side are two windows in oblong frames with arched heads. Above are square panels formerly framing armorial details, probably the supporters of the Wentworth arms. In the centre the porch projects, a true classical frontispieceof a design similar to a bay of the Colosseum. Fluted pilasters with Ionic capitals stand at the sides, bearing an architrave and pediment. Within this frame is an arch, round-headed, with a cherub's face on the prominent keystone. Wall and porch are built of soft sandstone, and have been eroded into fantastical shapes, all except the keystone which is perhaps a different type of stone, being an important feature of the design.
The outside appearance of the remaining part of the church is very plain in outline, built of roughly squared stones which have weathered unevenly (although not as severely as those of the nave wall). The south wall has the door centrally placed with a square panel containing the remains of a heraldic cartouche above it. The large windows to either side of the door are of two lights each, with round heads which are contained in square frames. Above the windows are also square panels, smaller than that over the door, one containing a griffin, the other a fierce eagle. These are similar to the panels formerly above the windows of the nave. The east wall has two gables which correspond to the internal division of the church into nave and chapel. They are of roughly equal height and dimensions, and each has a three-light window within a square frame, but here the window lights have pointed heads. Again there are square heraldic panels above the windows, this time containing cartouches of arms. The tiny boll hangs on a bracket by the window in the wall of the chapel. The north wall has one two-light and one three-light window of a design similar to the others, with depressed arches at the top. There are no panels above these windows or above the two windows of the west wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
c. 1684
Dates from about the time of the 1684 restoration and incorporates the HMS monogram. The north-west window of the chapel has fragments with coronets and parts of a large heraldic achievement.
Stained Glass
c. 1684
Dates from about the time of the 1684 restoration and incorporates the HMS monogram. The east window in the north wall has two coats-of-arms with mantling. One has the garter round it and a coronet above. This is for Wentworth. The other also has a coronet, and is impaled for Wentworth and Stanley. It has the strange detail of a cherub's head beneath the shield.
Stained Glass
c. 1684
Dates from about the time of the 1684 restoration and incorporates the HMS monogram. The east window in the vestry, of three lights, has in the centre the same shield-of-arms as the last window, (i.e. Wentworth) With the HMS monograms in the side lights, very bold in yellow with coronets above.
Stained Glass
c. 1684
Dates from about the time of the 1684 restoration and incorporates the HMS monogram. The finest glass is in the south window of the nave, and this is also the most intact. The impaled shield of Wentworth and Stanley appears here, once in each of the two lights, and there are four of the monograms round each. Below this are four supporters, two griffins and two eagles.
Interior
Interior Description
The door leads into the church awkwardly close to the altar rails. These are shaped with curved bow in the centre part. The step is a complementary shape. The east wall of the part used as a chancel is panelled from top to bottom, including the jambs, sill and lintel of the window. At the top, the panelling ends at a heavy dentilled cornice. It is possible that this, together with the other panelling in the church, came from the house during a remodelling at some time. There is also a low panelled dado in the chancel which has a curve in the top rail leading to-the east wall, and extends as far west as the communionrails. The communiontable is a small vernacular design executed in oak with cabriole legs. The altar cross and candlesticks are simple and elegant. The floor in the chancel, as in much of the church, has many ledger slabs.
The nave of the church has panelling along the south and west walls, that on the south forming the back to a pew set collegiate-wise at right angles to the axis of the building. The panelling is enriched with oblong panels at the top carved with scrolly foliage, some incorporating the monogram HMS for Henrietta Maria Stanley, wife of the Second Earl of Wentworth who restored the church in 1684, and presumably dates from this time. The stained glass in some of the windows also contains her monogram. The pews in the nave are arranged in the usual fashion, and seem to be nineteenth-century.
The nave is divided from the north chapel by an arcade of two arches which rest on a stout octagonal pier in the centre and two half-octagonal pilasters at each end. The arches themselves are simply moulded with chamfered arrisses. Architecturally the north chapel is of slight interest, but it contains some vary good monuments. There is some panelling round the west and south walls, but of inafferent quality. The floor has many ledger slabs, and a stone carved with a cross and cross-bow which is a thirteenth-century tombstone. The eastern part is screened off by a wood and plaster wall; handsome double doors give access to this chamber and over the doors is a convex frieze with a winged cherub's head in the centre. In the floor of this vestry, an ample wooden hatch leads to the passage connecting with the vault seen in the churchyard in which are said to lie six lead-covered coffins. On the wall over the door there are two hatchments in the vestry and a large benefactions board outside it; the latter records many interesting items, including (as well as the presentation of funds) the gift of plate, a parochial library, a north gallery and a pulpit cushion. None of these remains. Chapel and vestry are otherwise empty of furnishings.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The Altar is a pleasant little country eighteenth century piece with cabriole legs.
Rail
The Communion rails are supported on nicely turned balusters, and are straight at each side with a semi-circular projecting section in the middle which has the gate for access to the sanctuary.
Altar Cross
The cross on the altar is a modern plain design of silver presented in memory of the Seventh Earl Fitzwilliam by his widow in 1943. He was responsible for the restoration work done in 1925.
Pew (object)
The pow along the south wall of the nave should be mentioned here because of its fine panels carved with foliage and the HMS monogram.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 383 982
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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