Bedford: St Leonard
Overview
Grid reference: TL 45 488
The church is one of three in Bedford by George P. Allen; 1911-13.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with north and south aisles; chancel with vestry to the north, south transeptal chapel and porch. The original plan allowed for the nave to be two bays longer and have a south-west tower. The church is orientated internally North-south, liturgical East being the south end.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church is one of three in Bedford by George P. Allen; 1911-13.
Exterior Description
The exterior of the building is all dull red in colour, being built of brick and having roof coverings of tiles. The sanctuary has canted corners and a gabled east end with a window, consisting of three tall lancets within a brick relieving arch. The east wall of the vestry, which on plan occupies the north transept, has a group of two lancets and a single lancet. Its north face has three pairs of lancets, above which rises the north gable with a chimney and a simple beilcote consisting of a wooden frame against the wall supporting a sloping tiled roof with the bell hanging under it. The north wall of the nave is divided into three bays by buttresses, each bay having two pairs of lancets in the aisle walls and at clerestory level. The west wall is supposed to be temporary, but seems to have become permanent in the passage of time. The original plan was to extend the present church two bays further west and build a tower at its south-west corner. The reason that this was not done at the original date of building is that the prededing church occupied the plot of ground to the west of the present church. This still stands vacant, awaiting the extension which never came. In the middle of the 'temporary' west wall is a wooden window of vaguely Perpendicular form enclosed in a square frame under a dripstone. Below this is a west porch, a mean structure of brick and wood with canted corners. Some of its windows are broken. The south aspect is similar to the north, except that a porch occupies the eastern bay of the south nave aisle.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1936
The three lancets above the altar in the chancel have stained glass.
Stained Glass
Two lancets in the south transeptal chapel have glass which is said to have come from the chapel in the town cemetery at a time when it was being reorganized.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave arcades, of three bays, are supported on octagonal pillars with no capitals, the mouldings dying away into the responds of the arches. The pillars have bevelled mouldings on alternate faces so that, being octagonal above, they stand on square plinths with chamfered corners. The roof of the nave is of an unusual construction, consisting of arches supported on cross-beams. These arches in their turn support the main rafters. The nave aisles have lean-to roofs. The roof of the chancel is a simple boarded wagon-roof, and that of the south transeptal chapel is a simplified version of the nave roof, somewhat flattened to cover much the same span without rising as high, and without the crossbeams which the nave roof has. At the end of the north nave aisle is an English altar standing in front of the arch which leads through to the vestry. The similar arch at the end of the south nave aisle leads into the transeptal chapel which is separated from the chancel by an iron railing on which are shields painted with coats-of-arms.
The chapel is apacious and well lit, and has another English altar. There is a plaque on the east wall commemorating the transference of Bedford from the Diocese of Ely to that of St.Albans. In the chancel the high altar has riddel posts surmounted by gilded oak angels, and the cross on the altar is also gilded oak. It seems that for some time now the congregation has been so small that they use only the chancel, and this has resulted in some slight re-arrangementof the furnishings so that the people occupy the south choir stalls and the Celebrant faces them from his stall at the end of the north choir stalls. The lectern is set in front of the north choir stalls. The floor in the nave of the building is of wooden blocks, and that of the chancel is of black and white marble squares.
Fixtures and fittings
Screen
The oak chancel screen was produced by Howard of Norwich to a design by F.E. Howard of Oxford. It has a wide central arch and two pairs of lesser arches each side. The heads of the arches have delicate cusping, and above them is elaborately groined coving approaching the effect of fan-vaulting. This supports a continuous cornice and bratishing.
Organ (object)
The organ is a two manual instrument by Gray and Davison. The third, choir, manual is prepared for but was never fitted.
Pulpit
1949
The pulpit is octagonal, with linenfold panels.
Font (object)
Stone.
Lectern
Brass.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 45 488
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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