Little Ouse: St John the Evangelist
Overview
Grid reference: TL 621 891
The parish was formed in 1866 from parts of Littleport parish and the Norfolk parishes of Feltwell St Mary, Feltwell St. Nicholas, Hilgay and Southery. The church was built in 1869 at the expense of The Revd. Canon E.B. Sparke, Rector of Feltwell; the architect is not known. It is an austere building, both externally and internally.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Four bay aisleless nave, north-west tower forming also the porch; chancel with north vestry-cum-organ chamber.
Description of Archaeology and History
The parish was formed in 1866 from parts of Littleport parish and the Norfolk parishes of Feltwell St Mary, Feltwell St. Nicholas, Hilgay and Southery. The church was built in 1869 at the expense of The Revd. Canon E.B. Sparke, Rector of Feltwell; the architect is not known.
Exterior Description
It is an austere building, both externally and internally. The approach from the north-west leads past the side of the Vicarage towards the west end of the north nave wall. The tower is therefore placed in this position and acts also as the porch to the church. It is of three stages, not tall, with a pyramidal slated cap. The lower two stages have buttresses at the northern corners in line with the north wall, thus framing the two-centred arched doorway; in the side walls at this level and the next are small windows. The upper stage is reached by a semi octagonal turret, which masks the junction of the tower with the nave, and has a single louvred lancet in each face; the roof stands above a prominent row of corbels and is surmounted by a weathervane in the form of a dragon.
The rest of the building is also in the Early English style, with paired lancets to each bay of the nave, separated by buttresses, and a two light west window with a quatrefoil in the head. The narrower, lower chancel has single lancets in the side walls and an east window of three lancet lights; the east gables of nave and chancel have big foliated crosses and the west gable has a chimney at the apex. The stonework has not weathered at all, and by retaining its pristine sharpness makes the church particularly severe.
Interior
Interior Description
The notable feature of the interior is the roof structure, with big tie beams resting on curved brackets which themselves stand on stone corbels, the effect being rather like a hammerbeam roof. Above the tie-beams are two arches composed of curved braces, and between these is a kingpost. There is indeed very little else to notice inside the church. The nave is pewed throughout in pitch pine, and the windows stand within plastered reveals painted, like the rest of the wall surfaces, a fawnish buff. The west wirdow recess is carried down to ffloor to make a frame for the font which stands just in front of the wall.
The nave is separated from the chancel by a low stone screen which incorporates a small lectern, also in stone; in the south- east corner of the nave is the pulpit and in the opposite corner is a big cylindrical stove with a small plaster statue of the Virgin and Child incongruously placed on a circular plinth on the top. The chancel arch has plain imposts with high corbels supporting an inner chamfered order. The floor of the chancel is slightly more decorated than the black and red tiles used in the nave and there is an arch on the north side which opens into the vestry; this is filled by the small organ with stencilled front pipes.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (object)
c.1870
The organ is by John Fincham (established 1837), and presumably dates firm c.1870. It has tracker action and the following speaking stops on the single manual Bourdon, Open Diapason, Principal, Stopped Diapason, Stopped Diapason Bass, Flute. The tiny pedal board is always coupled to the manual.
Pulpit
The pulpit is of stone, cylindrical with a band of dogtooth round the top. The reading desk is carried on an eagle.
Lectern
The lectern is in the form of a small stone colonette with a foliated capital springing from the low stone screen.
Altar
Oak, featuring a motif of simple trefoiled arches.
Rail
Oak, featuring a motif of simple trefoiled arches.
Stall
Oak, featuring a motif of simple trefoiled arches.
Font (object)
The font has a square bowl with chamfered corners on a central drum with small colonettes.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 621 891
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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