Benwell: St Aidan
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 226 635
The exterior is severe only in mass, for it is enlivened at close quarters by decorative carving of a high order and other details such as excellent rainwater heads (based on early seventeenth-century examples) which may be overlooked at a distance. The style is Perpendicular gothic of a late type, and the architect's intention was doubtless that shaped by Bodley and Comper, to create a style which would follow on from late mediaeval Gothic as if the Reformation had never happened.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel under one long roof ridge; the aisles also re continuous but there is no clerestory. The nave arcades are of five bays and the chancel of two. The vestry is arranged with an organ chamber in the north aisle of the chancel and a chapel is placed in the south aisle. The base of a tower was added at the west end together with low porches but nothing has been built above the level of the nave roof ridge.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built to designs by W.S. Hicks in 1889. The base of a tover and flanking porches were added at the west end in 1915. William Searle Hicks (1849-1902) came of a Devon family and was related to Charles Barry, but was articled to Austin and Johnson in 1866 and established his own practice in 1882. Six years later he was joined by his brother-in-law Henry Clement Charlewood, and St. Aidan's church must have been one of the first productions of the new firm.
Charlewood was churchwarden at St. Aidan's. Hicks was a prolific architect, both on his own account and after he joined forces with Charlewood, and the list of their works is considerable. They also carried out numerous restorations, and refurnished chancels with distinctive and characteristic fittings.
Exterior Description
The exterior is severe only in mass, for it is enlivened at close quarters by decorative carving of a high order and other details such as excellent rainwater heads (based on early seventeenth-century examples) which may be overlooked at a distance. The style is Perpendicular gothic of a late type, and the architect's intention was doubtless that shaped by Bodley and Comper, to create a style which would follow on from late mediaeval Gothic as if the Reformation had never happened. From a distince the vast expenses of slated roof dominate, unbroken by a clerestory and with only a slight break between the main vessel and the aisles. Then appear the great east and west windows, one of five and one of seven lights and both with panel tracery. The east window has the sacred monogram carved on shields at the ends of the moulded hood, and the whole east wall is decorated with restraint, with recessed canopied niches on the slender buttresses (which also have crockettad gabled tops) and at the apex is a small statue niche on a richly carved corbel which terminates in gablets and a cross above the roof line, strongly reminiscent of Bodley's refined treatment of even larger wall surfaces.
At each side are the east walls of the aisles, both expressing their purpose by their fenestration. That on the south is the chapel, and this has a three-light window with ogee heads to the lights and panel tracery above. On the north the chancel aisle contains the vestry, which is of two storeys with the clergy vestry at ground level and the choir vestry above. Thus there is a three-light window in the east wall with two rows of transoms, two of the lower six panels being glazed and the rest left plain stone. On the north will the eastern bay has a small doorway with shields carved at the ends of the moulded hood and a shield of arms carved in a recessed cusped rectangle above. To the east of this is a small rectangular window which lights the upper vestry. The south wall of the south aisle has two two-light windows with square hands in the east bay and one in the west bay. A small spirelet on the roof ridge marks the division of nave from chancel.
Of the flanking walls there is little to say. Each bay is divided from the next by a buttress and each has a three-light window with panel tracery (all the tracery patterns being of the same design). An exception is the last bay of the nave on the north which has a four-light window. The last bay on the south has a typical three-light window, but also a small doorway above which is set a finely carved niche. This has a projecting foliat corbel below and then a spirical canopy above with crockets up the edges.
It is by no means clear at first that a tower was intended. It looks simply as though the nave has a western bay without aisles to form (as indeed it does) a baptistery. But then it becomes clear that the buttresses are crudely finished at the top and that a half-octagonal turret on the north side terminates pointlessly at the same level. The west window is very large, of five tall lights with transoms and panel tracery above. The north and south walls are blind and there are low porches under pent roofs tucked into the corners between the tower base and the aisle west walls.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1946
In the west window is a single panel representing St. Aidan, 1946 by Millican, Baguley and Atkinson.
Stained Glass
c.1930
North porch, two lights representing Christ and the Children.
Stained Glass
1901
North aisle, one window has stained glass representing Faith, Hope and Charity, personified.
Interior
Interior Description
The wills are of unplastered stone and the details are carved in fifteenth-century style. The nave is separated from the aisles by arcades of tall octagonal pillars with moulded capitals which support double-chamfered four-centred arches with moulded labels and shields carved with appropriate symbols above each pillar. At the west end a soaring arch outlined by three orders of chamfers opens into the tower space and forms a frame for the font and the large west window, allowing a flood of light into the nave. Nave and chancel are roofed in one length, with a panelled timber vault rising from a prominent cornice carved with the first ten verses of the Te Deum. The intersections of the moulded ribs between the panels are marked by carved fleurons of alternately larger and smaller dimensions. The aisle roofs are also panelled and also continuous, with cornices enriched with fleurons. The braced principals rest on stone corbels springing from the pillars of the arcade and from the outer walls. At the west end of each aisle are doorways communicating with the western porches, and a small doorway on the north side of the tower space leads to the unfinished tower staircase. The floors are of wooden boards under the pews and concrete in the alleys.
The division between nave and chancel is marked by two steps (the first of a cumulative series of seven which Hicks accepted as the proper number of steps to an altar) and by a small rood (without a corpus) flanked by two angels set on a beam high in the roof, all carved with the refinement which characterises the whole building. A low oak screen stands at the two steps into the chancel with the pulpit on the north side and the luctern on the south. High in the roof, at each end of the rood beam, are two statues of Bishops, apparently St. Oswald and St. Cuthbert. The two arches north and south are of similar design to those in the nave but broader, and within the western one on the north is the organ, next to the clergy vestry with the choir vestry contrived on a wooden gallery above. This is approached by a staircase rising beside the organ. On the south side the chapel is enclosed by oak screens, both towards the chancel and the south aisle. The great east window has no stained glass but the panel tracery divides the lights into the rhythm 3-1-3 and there is a large oak reredos below. A credence recess on the south side of the sanctuary is enclosed by a curved arch and has three sides of a vaulted octagon of stone within a lierne vault supported on shafts. There are fleurons round the outer arch and two large stone shelves.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The altar is of oak, with a panelled front.
Reredos
The reredos is of oak, with five panels surrounded by lavishly carved vinetrail. The top is crested with bratishing.
Pulpit
1890
The pulpit is of oak, an octagonal design with traceried panels given in 1890 in memory of the first curate of the parish who died in 1886.
Lectern
c.1930
The lectern is a pale oak eagle.
Font (object)
The font again seems to be original, in Perpendicular style with a moulded base and shields in panels round the octagonal bowl.
Organ (object)
The organ was built by F.C. Nicholson of Newcastle and has two manuals and tracker action.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 226 635
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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