Langthorne: St Mary Magdalene
Overview
Grid reference: SE 250 916
This plain little church is built in the lancet style throughout and the general effect of the hard rock-cut masonry and the plainly chamfered windows is somewhat severe. It is approached from the north, where there is a small porch at the west end of the north nave wall with an outer opening closed by an iron gate and painted timber boards to the gable above.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisleless nave with west bell-cote and north porch; chancel with south organ chamber and vestry under a cross-gable.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1877 to designs by C.N. Armfield of Darlington, who also built Kettleness church (1872), Ruswarp (1869), Sandsend (1868) and Ugglebarnby (1862). He restored Kirk Leavington in 1883. All his new churches seem to have been plain works in the Early English style. Langthorne was consecrated on 6th November 1877.
Exterior Description
This plain little church is built in the lancet style throughout and the general effect of the hard rock-cut masonry and the plainly chamfered windows is somewhat severe. It is approached from the north, where there is a small porch at the west end of the north nave wall with an outer opening closed by an iron gate and painted timber boards to the gable above. The inner walls of the porch are faced with brick and the floor is tiled. Towards the east there are three small lancet windows and at the eastern corner of the nave is a small plain buttress (the only one of the building). The west wall of the nave has two larger lancets with a cinquefoil in a recessed roundel above and the small but massively-constructed bell-cote houses one bell. The south wall of the nave is exactly like the north save that in place of the porch there is a blank area of wall, not even pierced by a further lancet as might be expected.
The chancel is altogether on a smaller scale, with yet tinier lancets in the north wall, a triplet in the east wall and the vestry projecting southwards from the south wall. This has two lancets in the east wall and a door in the west wall. The south gable wall has a further door and tiny lancet light. All the gables, including that of the vestry, are surmounted by carved stone crosses.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1879
East window: three lights, The Crucifixion.
Stained Glass
1877-82
North and south nave walls: The Four Evangelists, St. Peter and St. Paul.
Stained Glass
1879
West windows: The Resurrection, The Ascension and An Angel with A Scroll.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave walls are plastered and have a plain boarded dado and the open roof is constructed of stained pine timbers to a straightforward design. The floor of the alley is tiled in a simple geometric pattern and the flooring under the pews is of timber boards. The stone chancel arch is very nearly semi-circular and is carried on paired granite shafts with foliate capitals. The wall above and the walls in the chancel are of exposed brick, the area above the chancel arch in corporating a cross in polychrome brick. The chancel floor is two steps above the level of the nave and a small pulpit is fitted into the north-east corner beside the chancel arch. The brick facings in the chancel have originally been painted to give geometric embellishment in an umber colouring, as well as mock jointing to the brick and stone areas which does not coincide to with the natural jointing of either. The stones of the chancel arch are each decorated with four red dots forming a primitive floral effect, and there is evidence that the chancel decoration was originally extended to cover walls of the nave as well. The chancel floor is tiled and the ceiling is boarded, the latter painted on with flowing geometrical designs and sacred monograms. On the north and south sides are three seats, one for the parson and two for the choir. The simple altar and rails make up the furnishings of the building and, although no item is of any special merit, the scheme is of some interest since it has evidently survived intact since the church was built.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The altar is a plain deal table.
Pulpit
The pulpit is simply a panel of wrought and hammered iron supporting a brass rail.
Lectern
The lectern is a brass pedestal.
Font (object)
The font is circular, of stone, decorated with florets and a text, standing on four clustered colonettes.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 250 916
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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