Bell 1 of 2
Founded by John Potter
Dove Bell ID: 63554 Tower ID: 25364 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Knapton: St Edmund
Overview
Grid reference: SE 880 756
The church is built of stone throughout - a lightish yellow stone, presumably quarried locally - a slightly darker stone being used for quoins, window surrounds and other decorative details. The roof coverings are of blue slates. The most immediately striking aspect of the building is that it is uncommonly low in height and therefore, being to the left of the drive and on a sloping site, it is not surprising that it is scarcely visible until you are quite close to it. The most idiosyncratic design feature is the little vestry on the south side of the chancel, six sides of an octagon in plan, with a spirical roof.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Consists of a small nave with north aisle and a chancel under a continuous roof, with a three-sided apsidal baptistry at the west and a small six-sided vestry on the south side of the chancel; the south porch is on the flank of the baptistry, and there is a double bell-cote at the west end of the nave. On the north side of the chancel is a small room which serves as an ante-chamber to the family pew.
Description of Archaeology and History
North aisle and chancel by John Gibson and Son of Malton, 1870-2, and presumably they were also responsible for the polygonal west baptistry, nave and octagonal vestry.
Exterior Description
The church is built of stone throughout - a lightish yellow stone, presumably quarried locally - a slightly darker stone being used for quoins, window surrounds and other decorative details. The roof coverings are of blue slates. The most immediately striking aspect of the building is that it is uncommonly low in height and therefore, being to the left of the drive and on a sloping site, it is not surprising that it is scarcely visible until you are quite close to it. The most idiosyncratic design feature is the little vestry on the south side of the chancel, six sides of an octagon in plan, with a spirical roof.
The nave is of three bays, divided by shallow buttresses with two set-offs, and each window has two lights with broad trefoil heads, and a diamond shape in the head. There is one window of this character in all three of the bays of the nave, each window having a prominent hoodmould. The vestry has a single trefoil-headed light on its south side and, in its cast wall, a doorway with a square hood-mould. The door has excellent iron hinges, handle and key-hole.
The chancel is of two bays, with a dividing buttress having three set-off each bay has a single cinquefoil-headed light. At the east end are broad diagonal buttresses and the east window is a fine Decorated design of three plain lower lights and three big sexfoils in the head. Set in the east wall are three carved heads (which seem to be mediaeval, re-used), but the label-stops of the window hood-moulding have never been carved and are still solid blocks of stone. On the north side of the chancel is the small room through which the family at the Hall entered their pew, with a lean-to roof, a door like the door to the south vestry, and a tiny quatrefoil window. There is only space for one window in the chancel north wall.
The window pattern on the north side of the nave, facing the paddock in front of the Hall, is quite different from the south. The eastern bay, which is broadened to give dignity to the family pew, has a window of three lights, the middle one slightly taller: the next two bays each have two-light windows with a quatrefoil in the head; the west bay has two lower lights with quite elaborate tracery in the head consisting of a central quatrefoil and two trefoils. In the west window of the north aisle is again a window of fairly elaborate design with a large lower light, cinquefoilod at the head, and above that two trefoiled mouchettes with a flattened trefoil above.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
North aisle, west window: well-drawn and attractive window depicting King David playing his harp.
Stained Glass
The one north and two south chancel windows contain attractive glass by the same maker, it would appear, as (a) The north window shows the figure of St. James, those on the south St. John the Evano:elist and St. Edward the Confessor.
Stained Glass
The windows of the baptistery show (from left to right, i.e. from south to north) St. Peter, the Baptism of Our Lord, St Paul and St. Edward the Martyr.
Stained Glass
The north window in the Tyndall family pew is the least rewarding glass in the church; the Crucifixion is in the centre light.
Stained Glass
c. 1850s
East window of the chancel in the top centre light is the figure of Chastity and in the three main lower lights are figures of Our Lord flanked by female saints. Strong dark blues and reds predominate, and the style suggests a date in the 1850's.
Interior
Interior Description
Inside the church is a 'frozen' 19th century period piece. There is a north arcade of four bays, the piers being circular with plain circular bases but octagonal abaci. The whole nave, as is commonly the case with 19th century churches, seems crammed with seating; but the chancel and the area in front of it are more spacious.The furnishing and decoration of the chancel are uncommonly rich and complete.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
Quite small, octagonal in shape, and in stone.
Pulpit
c. 1870s
Desk
c. 1870s
Clergy desk
Desk
c. 1870s
Reading desk
Reredos
An elaborate piece, of three elements, with a centre canopy and three brightly coloured figurative scenes. The woodwork is very busily carved and, in this context, none the worse for that.
Bells
Bell 2 of 2
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1874
Dove Bell ID: 63555 Tower ID: 25364 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 880 756
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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