Woburn: Old Church
Overview
Grid reference: SP 948 332
The parish church of Woburn was built by Richard Hobbs, the last Abbot, in the first half of the sixteenth century, and the tower was rebuilt in its present form by Edward Blore at the expense of the Duke of Bedford in 1830, re-using the lower walls and materials from its predecessor. In 1865 the sixth Duke of Bedford took down the rest of the church and replaced it with the present simple rectangular structure. The architect was doubtless Henry Clutton, who was employed by the Duke to build the new parish church on another site.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A simple rectangle of three bays with no distinct chancel; passage at north-west leading to the detached tower, the ground floor of which is open and forms the porch.
Description of Archaeology and History
The parish church of Woburn was built by Richard Hobbs, the last Abbot, in the first half of the sixteenth century, and the tower was rebuilt in its present form by Edward Blore at the expense of the Duke of Bedford in 1830, re-using the lower walls and materials from its predecessor. In 1865 the sixth Duke of Bedford took down the rest of the church and replaced it with the present simple rectangular structure. The architect was doubtless Henry Clutton, who was employed by the Duke to build the new parish church on another site. Blore (1787-1879) began life as an architectural draughtsman but by the 1820s had turned to architecture, after which he worked on many houses and churches, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court. He was surveyor to Westminster Abbey in 1827-1849, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, one of the Founders of the Royal Archaeological Institute, Fellow of the Royal Society and in 1834 he was given an honorary DCL by Oxford University, although he turned down a knighthood which he was offered on the completion of Buckingham Palace. His practice as a designer of country houses and churches (as well as restorer of the latter category) was extensive, and he was also employed by the Duke of Bedford to build the Market House at Woburn (1830, red brick Gothic), Tavistock Grammer School (1837), and a new east end in the Norman style for Thorney Abbey (1840).
Exterior Description
Since the tower was built first, it may well be described first. It is of four stages, the lowest of which shows by the generally smaller size of stone used that it belongs to a different date from the rest. This is indeed basically all that remains of the mediaeval church. The east and west walls have been pierced by arches with segmental heads and moulded edges, and the ground floor now forms the entrance to the building. It is paved with stone flags. Above it, the second stage is slightly set back and is blind on all sides save the west where there is an arched window within a rectangular frame. The next stage, also slightly set back, is blind on three sides but has a rectangular stone recess in the east face (towards the street) for the clock face. The fourth stage which contains the bells has paired louvred lights in each direction with heads carved at the stops of the moulded hoods over each. At each angle of the tower are diagonal buttresses and the top is crowned by an embattled parapet above which the buttresses rise in the form of elegant panelled and crocketted pinnacles. These surround a pretty octagonal stone lantern supported by small flying buttresses within the parapet. This has a concave conical stone roof with crockets along the edges and a frill of eight little pinnacles round the base, rising to a large foliated finial. The tower is altogether a successful contribution to the appearance of the village, and rather more light hearted than might be expected from Blore.
It is attached to the body of the church by a low passage with three-light windows of simple Perpendicular form in the east and west walls. The church itself is a simple building and was evidently intended for use as a chapel for the burial ground which remained in use even after the new parish church was built. It is of three bays with Perpendicular windows of three lights in each bay, each with panel tracery of a geometrical character above and wide four-centred arches enclosing each window. The bays are divided from each other by buttresses and there are also diagonal buttresses of the same profile at each of the four angels of the building. The east wall has a broad five-light window with cusped ogee arches at the head of each main light and panel tracery above, while the west wall has two two-light windows in the same style and a roundel containing a quatrefoil in the gable. The gables are of low pitch with unembattled moulded parapets and a finial on the apex of each. The string courses and dressings are executed, as on the tower, in grey stone which contrasts with the warm brown of the facing stones.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
In the east window is opaque glass with blue diagonal crosses and the Bedford arms surrounded by the Garter and surmounted by a coronet. In the tracery are small figures of The Four Evangelists and Moses and Aaron.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior has a floor paved with stone flags with merely a foot-pace at the east end for the altar and no other demarcation of chancel from nave. The walls are of finely cut ashlar and the windows are surrounded by mouldings and stand above a moulded string. The furnishings are substantial though not numerous and the roof is of unstained oak carried on eight stone corbels carved as portrait busts. The arch to the entry is panelled on the sides and soffit, and the whole appearance suggests the expenditure of much money but little imagination.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1830
The altar, a massive oak table, doubtless formed part of Blore's work of 1830 in the former church on this site.
Reredos
1830
The reredos is also of oak, by Blore, with a large central panel which formerly housed the painting of The Virgin and Child by Marratti (which now hangs in the Clutton church); this has been replaced by a photolithograph of Raphael's Virgin and Child; flanking this are four lower traceried panels in the Perpendicular style with the usual texts.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 948 332
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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