Stanbridge: St Kenelm
Overview
Grid reference: SU 4 38
The church is built in a revived Norman style as far as the tower and transepts are concerned, while the windows of the nave and chancel are simple Early English lancets. The only larger windows in the church are the west and east ones, each of three lights.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Cruciform, with long narrow nave of four bays, chancel of three bays, north transept with small baptistery to the east, south transept containing organ chamber and vestry. Three-stage tower between south transept and nave, with stone spire.
Description of Archaeology and History
Rather surprisingly for a 19th century church, neither the date nor the architect is known.
Exterior Description
The church is built in a revived Norman style as far as the tower and transepts are concerned, while the windows of the nave and chancel are simple Early English lancets. The only larger windows in the church are the west and east ones, each of three lights. That at the east end is a triple lancet under a single triangular dripstone, and the west window is three separate lancet lights with a curved dripstone over each. The walls are faced with ashlar interspersed with horizontal bands of flint.
The approach to the church from the south leads along a gravelled path to the round-headed door in the foot of the tower. The composition of this side of the church is pleasingly balanced, if slightly mechanical. The buttresses, for example are purely decorative, but the tower gives a good vertical thrust to the elevation, especially with its bolgetone spire. The building of the church was financed by the local family, and the result is that, though small, the church is not without pretension. Hence also the carved coat-of-arms on the transept gable proudly displayed to the approaching worshipper.
The tower is divided by stringcourses into three stages. The lowest is the porch, with a doorway surrounded with chevron moulding. The ringing chamber on the first floor has a tiny window above this door, and the belfry stage has an interlacing arcade on each face allowing for two openings and one blank arch on two sides, and vice versa on the other two. Above the arcading is a serpentine string-course which is not quite able to resolve itself into corbels. A moulded cornice supports the spire which is plain but for broaches at the base and mouldings which run up between the faces, emphasizing the vertical axis.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1912
A light in the west window representingThe Light of the World.
Stained Glass
1887
The Redeemer in the east window, which was inserted to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.
Stained Glass
The lancets in the chancel have the symbols of the Evangelists.
Interior
Interior Description
The chancel arch is wide, and again 'Norman' with chevron moulding in the outer order. Beyond it, the chancel is more decorated than the nave. The side windows are lancets set in an arcade with the alternate openings blank, faced with marble. The foliage carving on the capitals here and on the corbels for the roof above is well done. Two of the roof corbels look as though they might be mediaeval, showing a little more spontaneitythan the rest. The roof itself is a low curved vault composed of six flat sections with many wooden bosses at the intersections carved with leaves and flowers. The floor is of encaustic tiles in red, yellow and black, and there is also a tiled wainscot which introduces blue as well.
Fixtures and fittings
Pulpit
The Pulpit is of oak, with an eagle supporting the reading desk.
Lectern
Simple brass pedestal.
Altar
Stout oak table.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 4 38
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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