Diameter: 28.38" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 52301 Tower ID: 19139 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Chignal Smealey: St Nicholas
Diocese of Chelmsford
Church, 608252
http://www.greatwalthamchurch.org.uk/Overview
Grid reference: TL 667 116
The church of St Nicholas stands in the village of Chignal Smealy, in a fairly small churchyard. It was built in the early sixteenth century, and is notable for having been originally constructed of red brick, including the buttresses, hood moulds and tracery (with the exception of the east window, where the tracery has been renewed in stone). Even the font is of brick. The roofs are covered with plain tiles. The church is listed Grade II*, in recognition of its outstanding architectural and historical importance. It is unusual in being built entirely of brick. All fabric and furnishings belonging to its original (early sixteenth-century) phase of construction are of high archaeological, architectural and historical significance. This includes the tower, brick envelope of the nave (but not the north aisle) and chancel (but not the vestry), the roof timbers, doors, piscinae and niches, font, screen and original benches. Other features of high significance are the octagonal pulpit and the Jacobean communion table, as well as earlier features relating to a church previously on this site, or imported from elsewhere: the brass indent and fragments of stained glass. The 1847 north aisle and vestry were designed by Joseph Clarke of Lincolns Inn Fields, London (1819/20-1881), a gothic revival architect who specialised in church and school buildings. He was a member of the Ecclesiological Society and surveyor to the dioceses of Canterbury, Rochester and St Albans. His additions to the church are from fairly early in his career, but show an assured familiarity with late medieval/Tudor detailing and complement the original design well. Bettley/Pevsner comments that ‘the view from the east is especially picturesque with three gables of different heights’. These additions and associated furnishings (pews and painted commandments) are of moderate-high significance. Also of moderate-high significance are the monument to Weston Styleman and the ledger slabs in the chancel and nave. The church was restored in 1894, when it appears that the plaster was removed from the ceilings and most of the walls. In addition to the loss of historic finishes, this has had the regrettable effects of making the church darker and less easy to heat. The 1904 alterations and additions are attributed by Bettley & Pevsner to Alfred Young Nutt (1847-1924), surveyor to St George’s Chapel, Windsor and Windsor Castle. This work includes the south porch, the east and west windows, the lectern and reading desk and probably also the reredos, altar (possibly imported) and dado in the chancel and the screen at the south entrance. These features are all well-detailed, of moderate (local/regional) significance. Other furnishings of moderate significance are the painted timber bequest board, the marble tablet recording the parish rectors, the plaque to the Rev. Thomas Roche and the war memorial plaques. That in the nave was engraved by Herbert Wauthier (c1881-1964) of F. Osborne & Co. Ltd. The Apollo organ is one of several hundred produced by Rushworth & Dreaper between the wars, and is of moderate-low significance. The boiler house addition to the vestry, while of matching brick and carefully detailed, is nevertheless of low significance.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 143 m²
Interior
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 667 116
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 | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
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
Sources
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