Bedford: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: TL 51 493
The impression from the west (apart from the middle storey of the tower, from further away, with its Saxon/Norman openings) is Perpendicular, but much of this Perpendicular work, for example, the battlements and all the window tracery, is 19th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with north and south aisles. Central tower with north and south transepts the same width as the aisles. Chancel with former organ chamber to the north and vestry approached through this to the north-east.
Description of Archaeology and History
This is a composite building with work ranging from the 12th to the 19th centuries, as follows:
12th century - tower and south transept (containing three late Saxon/early Norman windows rediscovered in 1959)
14th century - chancel
16th century - north aisle and arcade or nave, top of tower
19th century - south aisle and arcade of nave and considerable restoration of the earlier work
Exterior Description
The impression from the west (apart from the middle storey of the tower, from further away, with its Saxon/Norman openings) is Perpendicular, but much of this Perpendicular work, for example, the battlements and all the window tracery, is 19th century.
From the churchyard on the north side it is possible to take the measure of the strong and eloquent features of the tower. On all four faces, the middle stage has a strikingly large Norman double-opening, blank on the north and south sides and open on the west and east sides. The double openings are contained within a deeply recessed relieving arch. In the top stage are Perpendicular bell-openings of two lights with traceried heads, but traces can be seen of the Norman openings which must have consisted of two or perhaps three openings on each face. The tower top has crocketted pinnacles and prominently projecting gargoyles. The quoins are rudimentary long-and-short work, diminishing in size as they go upwards. The nave is also battlemented, but in spite of the height of the walls there are no clerestorey windows.
The aisle walls are largely 19th century and the window forms are 16th century - presumably partly original work on the north side. The north transept is, unexpectedly, gabled and together with the tall chimney attached to the side of the organ chamber this adds to the picturesqueness of the view from the churchyard. There is a doorway in the north aisle with a stone roof and heads in quatrefoils, the latter much decayed, although the doorway inside and out is apparently all 19th century.
The eastern aspect presents three gables - chancel, vestry and organ chamber - which group well with the tower. There is also a completely renewed south doorway.
In the angle between the south transept and the chandel rises a stone staircase to sill level, and there is a wooden staircase connected with this inside - parts of which appear ancient - giving access to the tower.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1872
East window. It is a memorial to Thomas and Jane Green, is dated 1872, and appears to be by Clayton and Bell. Crucifixion in centre light flanked by four saints - canopies above, symbols of the Lamb and the Evangelists below. In the large septfoil in the tracery head sits Christ in Majesty, with Censing Angels in the trefoils a little lower down on either side.
Stained Glass
19th Century
South-east chancel window. The hood mouldings and label-stops in the form of heads (the western one being well preserved) appear all intact, as in the engraving of 1813; and in all other respects the sedilia with piscina drain in its third and highest step seem complete. But, at the end of the 19th century, a well-designed curvilinear window seems to have been inserted into the head of this recessed area of the wall and this cthntains glass either by Kempe or a follower, in memory of the Revd. Charles Brereton, dated 1895.
Stained Glass
The small window low down representing St. Mary, in the south-west corner of the chancel.
Stained Glass
The west window depicts across the upper part of the three main lights the scene of 'Suffer the little children...'. with three small scenes below and angels and martyrs in the tracery lights above.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church has an air of simple charm and considerable worshipfulness. This is chiefly the effect of the plain whitewashed architecture. The nave consists of four bays divided from the aisles by arcades - that on the north being 16th century and the corresponding one to the south being a good 19th century copy.
The floor is stone flagged and the roof of open timberwork, is as plain as it could be. The aisle windows are contained square frames - again very plain, and the east wall of the nave with supports the tower is pierced by a large round-headed arch of doubtful date with a small Norman opening in the rough whitewashed wall above.
In the central space under the tower there has been since 1938 a people's altar which does much to remedy the otherwise considerable distance between people in the nave and the celebrant at the far east end. The south transept is fitted as a chapel but that on the north is simply an open space. The chancel is now arranged as a chapel although still physically undivided from the nave. The former organ chamber on the north side is curtained off (the instrument now stands at the west end of the south nave aisle), and the choir stalls remain at the sides with chairs in the open space between. The walls here again are whitewashed, but the east end is painted a pale ochre which is surprisingly successful and helps the stained glass in the east window. The tracery of this is painted white. The floor of the chancel is again paved, with the matrices of some lost brasses inset. The roof is of straightforward timber constructions, probably 19th century as it is partly supported on 19th century beams across the opening of the organ chamber.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th Century
High Altar in chancel: plain 19th century table
Altar
Altar in crossing space: a moderately handsome table with moulded top and reeded legs.
Altar
17th Century
Altar in south transept: this is the 17th century communion table with handsome baluster legs.
Screen
19th Century
19th century wooden screen and gallery at the west end of the nave; beneath the gallery, the space serves as a small narthex.
Font (object)
19th Century
Octagonal 19th century font at west end of the north aisle.
Organ (object)
Two manual, by Hill and Son stands at the west end of the south aisle.
Pulpit
c. 1840s
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 51 493
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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