New Wortley: St Mary of Bethany
Overview
Grid reference: SE 279 328
This imposing structure is of brick throughout with blue slates to the roofs and harmonises with the dark red brick of the neighbouring and contemporary railwaymen's housing. In style it follows no one precedent and has been variously called French Romanesque, late German. Romanesque and Early English. It may bear traces of all these styles, but they are confined to the use of pointed windows, moulded brick labels, string courses and plate tracery, and the apsidal east end. The Perpendicular panelling of the battlements of the tower adds a strange note to a building which is not unlike those churches built in the 13th century French Gothic manner.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Apsidal chancel, vestries, Organ chamber, have with north and south aisles, western baptistery with porches on each side, and a tower with spire at the east end of the north aisle.
Description of Archaeology and History
Completed and consecrated in 1886 by the Leeds architect Adams and Kelly whose other buildings include St. Andrew, Drypoel, Hull, and St. Mary Magdalene, Altofts, Yorks. The total, cost was £5,600.
Exterior Description
This imposing structure is of brick throughout with blue slates to the roofs and harmonises with the dark red brick of the neighbouring and contemporary railwaymen's housing. In style it follows no one precedent and has been variously called French Romanesque, late German. Romanesque and Early English. It may bear traces of all these styles but they are confined to the use of pointed windows, moulded brick labels, string courses and plate tracery, and the apsidal east end. The Perpendicular panelling of the battlements of the tower adds a strange note to a building which is not unlike those churches built in the 13th century French Gothic manner.
The most striking prospect is the view from the east, of the prominent and striking tower, the apsidal sanctuary and vestries, which form an assymetrical but noteworthy composition which is sited above the suburb of New Wortley. Access to the tower is by a staircase in its south-east angle. The arcading of the clerestory is continued around the tower and below this there is a large window to the north. The belfry stage is decorated with blank arcading of elongated arches with crocketted ogee heads and the central light of each face accommodates louvres in loety two-light openings. An embattled and slightly projecting parapet with patterned panelling is corbelled out from the belfry stage. Above this rises an octagonal stage with a single lancet to each side surmounted by a fluted decoration in brick. A narrow band of corbelling connects this stage with a spire whose central stage, indicated by brick bands, is panelled with stylised tracery patterns in each face. The whole of this variously detailed vertical composition rises to 135 feet.
The apse is arcaded with a continuous label and accommodates five lancets. Immediately to its west and at the junction of apse and vestry walls there protrudes a polygonal chimney which serves as a foil to the tower. The vestry terminates in a gable cross and pronounced brick kneelers. A string course serves to. link-and provide bloods for lancet windows grouped in twos and threes whereas the south vestry window is large, of three lights and filled with plate tracery, in-a similar fashion to. those in the aisles. The continuously arcaded clerestory opens out into two-light windows in alternate spaces, above the lean-to roofs of the aisles.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1890s
Three east lancets contain glass of 1893 and 1898 depicting the Crucifixion with attendant figures.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is divided into five bays by arcades with moulded brick arches and contracted versions of capitals and abaci. There is a baptistery recess at the west end which is dark and gloomy, especially by comparison with the whitened walls of the sanctuary. The interior chancel wall is continuously arcaded above dado level and the lancets are let into the arcading in alternate bays. The responds of the chancel arch are corbelled from the north and south walls. The baptistery floor is paved with contemporary glazed ceramic tiles laid in geometrical patterns which are repeated in the chancel and which are offset by the plain red tiles elsewhere in the chufch. The apse has a rib-groined wood roof whilst the nave is covered by a waggon-type construction.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
Small, on a black base, with a bowl supported on four grey marble shafts.
Pulpit
Of stone, painted white in part, with alabaster inserts.
Reredos
The reredos, of three cusped panels with crocketted gables terminating in finials and a gable cross, has been painted over.
Lectern
"Presented by the School Children, 1886". Eagle Lectern, brass support.
Rail
Quite elaborately wrought with curving tendrils in the angles.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 279 328
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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