Bedford: St Cuthbert
Overview
Grid reference: TL 52 498
The church is built of irregularly coursed stone, giving an impression of greater venerability than is warranted by the date of its construction; the north aisle ale appears to be of Bath stone. The roof coverings mostly renewed in 1963 - are of slates. The tower is roofed with lead sheets.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel, with north and south vestry and chapel respectively; Crossing tower with north and south transepts and a north porch. Nave with north and south aisles, and a narthex at the west.
Description of Archaeology and History
In October 1844 it was resolved that the present church be taken down. It was also decided to adopt the Anglo-Norman style for the new church, a Mr. Woodroffe was appointed architect, and the a new church was consecrated on July 8th 1847. North and south aisles were added by F. C. Penrose in 1865. In 1877 the building was extended westwards by adding a narthex and an organ chamber was added on the north side of the chancel; in 1886 a chamber was built on the south side of the clancel and the former organ chamber converted into a vestry.
Exterior Description
The church is built of irregularly coursed stone, giving an impression of greater venerability than is warranted by the date of its construction; the north aisle ale appears to be of Bath stone. The roof coverings mostly renewed in 1963 - are of slates. The tower is roofed with lead sheets.
Originally the nave was aisleless, but the need for more seating caused the construction of aisles in 1865. The south aisle repeats the nave gable at its west end, only on a smaller scale, and the lean-to natthex of 1877 continues the vigorous neo-Norman detailing of the earlier work in the chevron moulding of the doorway and the mouldings of the corbel-table. The north aisle is altogether different; to begin with the east bay is gabled to the north and made to appear quasi-transeptal, which is a little unhappy in close conjunction with the north transept itself. Then at the west end it becomes apsidal, looking like eastern termination of a side-chapel and, to any one who does not already know the building, providing a degree of ambiguity in respect of the orientation.
The tower groups extremely well with the numerous gabled appendages of the building - especially as seen from the south-east and the north-west and rises above the nave and chancel roofs by only one modest stage. There are two round-headed openings on all four faces, each with its own drip-mould, and above that a frieze employing the same elongated curved shapes as reappear inside for the frieze of the nave roof.
Interior
Interior Description
The aisles were added most skilfully without, it would appear, dismantling the nave walls but inserting within them arcades of three bays borne on columns of unpolished granite, with curious capitals formed of alternating block and volute shapes.
The spectacular part of the church is the crossing, with its coupled columns, each pair having a different design for their capitals. The north eastern pair, with their 'affronted' birds are the most impressive and no doubt have some genuine Norman precedent. The crossing arches and the arches north and south from the chancel into the former organ chambers are all ornamented with a double band of chevrons.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (object)
By Speechley, the latest rebuilding. The console is on the south side of the crossing, but the instrument itself stands on a gallery at the west end of the nave.
Pew (object)
c. 1840s
Those in the nave at least are from the 1840's, and are complete with brass trays and claps for umbrellas and enamelled pew numbers.
Pulpit
Oak, like the pews, and likewise neo-Norman; heavy chevron moulding round the arches of the open arcade.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 52 498
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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