Berechurch: St Michael (Audley Chapel)
Overview
Grid reference: TL 992 218
A brick church with stone dressings. The three-stage tower has an embattled parapet, diagonal buttresses and a polygonal staircase turret projecting on the south side, but the best features of the tower are the reset 14th century west doorway and the three-light window above also of the 14th century. Architecturally the nave and chancel are one unit.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel with a chapel to the north, south porch and west tower.
Footprint of Church buildings: 191 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The nave, chancel and west tower date from c.1500 with some details of the former 14th century church re-used. The north chapel was added slightly later in the 16th century. In the 19th century the church underwent extensive restoration and the north walls of the chapel and nave were rebuilt.
In the 19th century the north wall of the nave was rebuilt and two 19th century windows were made in the south wall. Also in the south wall is a reset 14th century doorway with moulded jambs. The three-light east window of the chancel is probably early 17th century. In the east wall of the chancel chapel is an early 16th century brick window.
Exterior Description
A brick church with stone dressings. The three-stage tower has an embattled parapet, diagonal buttresses and a plygonal staircase turret projecting on the south side, but the best features of the tower are the reset 14th century west doorway and the three-light window above also of the 14th century. Architecturally the nave and chancel are one unit.
Interior
Interior Description
The most noteworthy part of the church is the largely unrestored north chapel which has a 16th century hammerbeam roof. The embattled wall plates, hammerbeams, braces and windbraces are moulded and richly ornamented with carvings of faces, foliage and flowers. Below the middle of the collarbeams are carved pendants and at the ends of the hammerbeams and feet of the wall posts are carved and painted cartouches of the arms of Audley of Walden. These were added in the early 17th century. The floor of the chapel is made up of black and white marble square and also dates from the 17th century. In the east wall of the chapel are two 16th century niches and in the south wall a recess of the same date: these are all covered with cement.
Fixtures and fittings
Door
Early 16th Century
In the south doorway a door made up, of linenfold and traceried panels.
Door
16th Century
In the doorway to the turret staircase a door of oak battens with moulded fillets
Font (object)
15th - Early 16th Century
Octagonal bowl, each face quatrefoiled and enclosing a flower on a plain stem and base.
Piscina (object)
In chancel, still with heptagonal drain.
Screen
16th - 17th Century
Across the arch leading to the chapel, of wrought iron with partly twisted standards and a finial terminating in large ornamental fleurs de-lis.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 992 218
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.
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
Submit a change
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