Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Webster & Forshaw 1813
Dove Bell ID: 54976 Tower ID: 20665 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Harthill: All Saints
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 500 552
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave (4 bays) and chancel (1 bay) in one, south-west porch and north-east vestry.
Dimensions:
21m (65 feet) x 8m (25 feet).
Footprint of Church buildings: 194 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
An inscription on the chancel screen records that the present building was erected in 1609, which is quite plausible. However, there has been a chapel on the site since at least 1280. The church bell is dated to 1242 (recast 1813), which hints at an early origin for the first church on the site. There may be masonry from the older church incorporated in the north wall. There is also the stump of a cross adjacent to the porch, probably dating to the 11th or perhaps 12th century. It bears a later inscription, “Thomas Smith CW”. It has a square shaft and base, with carved wheel motifs and fluting.
Harthill is not mentioned in Domesday but probably formed part of the Baronry of Malpas after the Conquest. There are several heraldic monuments (installed c1862) to this dynasty within the church. The church was internally refurbished in the early 18th century, and some of this furniture survives. The vestry and bellcote were added during the drastic restoration of the church in 1862, the furnishings were restored or replaced, and several of the windows were renewed. The interior was restored in 1920 by the Barbour family, and again most recently with help from the Manpower Services Commission in 1986.
Exterior Description
Externally the church is very restrained and almost domestic in appearance, although this pleasing 17th century simplicity has been somewhat marred by the addition in 1862 of the tall pyramidical stone bellcote, a travesty out of character and scale with the building. An undated painting in the church shows it with a small bellcote and without the lych-gate, much more in proportion. The bellcote dominates the building to such an extent that it may give visitors the initial impression that the whole building is a Gothic folly, especially when viewed from the west. Closer inspection however reveals many features of interest.
The church has mostly rectangular mullioned windows with round-headed lights, with the exception of the windows in the west wall of the nave which are a pair of two-light round-headed windows with plate tracery, again probably from 1862. The nave windows are four-lights, with the exception of a two-light in the east bay opposite the porch. The windows are typically domestic in appearance, set between weak buttresses. The chancel has a three-light in each side wall. The chancel east window is a six-light with a transom. The original obviously had a broad arched head typical of the 17th century, now blocked above the rectangular head of the present window.
Above the shouldered entrance to the porch the lintel is inscribed "Rondvll Prickett Churchwarden ever since 1606 until 1611”. Inside the porch are the arms of Sir William Brereton, dated 1506. He was then a holder of lands in Malpas with the right of presentation to the living of Harthill. Above this a smaller stone bears the inscription "John Webster, George Brown Ch 1779”. This last was added when the porch was repaired. In 1890 the porch was apparently repaired again; this might account for the different, very fresh stone used for the jambs, and the fact that the inscribed lintel does not sit properly on them.
The doorway into the church itself is four-centred. As with the priest’s door at Thornton-le-Moors St Mary, this is said to have been re-set from the old church, but this is again unnecessary and unproved. Over the door can be seen the arms and name of Sir Marmaduke Drake, 1669 (the Drake family acquired lands at Malpas which included the right of presentation, and retained the patronage until 1873).
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
17th century 4-bays
Chancel
17th century 1-bay
Porch
17th century south-west
Vestry
17th century north east
Building Materials
Sandstone
1609
Delamere Sandstone
Slate
1609
Slate
Sandstone
17th century red and buff
Oak
17th century roof structure
Welsh Slate
17th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
On entering the church there is a recess in the west wall, which now houses a disused font. This is probably the partly blocked doorway which once led to a gallery at the west end, demolished in the restoration of 1862.
The low broad nave has an oak hammer-beam roof with arch-braces, carried on plain corbels. The wooden brackets supporting this are carved with foliage and strapwork decoration, and with the date 1609 over the letters T L, the word GOD, and with RW Rector and James Banks. They were later further adorned during the restoration of 1862 with heraldic bosses with the arms and names of the lords of Malpas, as follows:
Robert Fitzhugh 1072, William Belward 1101, Sir Urian de St Pierre 1340, and Sir William Cokesay 1398, also the arms of Harthill (the local family first recorded in the reign of King John) and the arms of the families of Egerton, Bulkeley Dodd and Page, with the crests of Calveley and Dodd.
During the restoration of 1862 the early 18th century oak box pews, which had been arranged in three rows down the length of the nave, were sawn together to make new choir stalls and chancel panelling and the present bench pews. Up until this time revenue was raised by a levy on these pews. In 1920 new choir stalls and a new oak front to the organ were installed as a thank offering for peace, the money for this being raised by public subscription. The panelling in the sanctuary also dates from 1920, the early 18th century panelling being re-used as pew fronts.
On the south side of the chancel is a Priest's door, which was blocked up in 1821. In 1886 an aumbry was discovered when plaster was removed from the east wall of the sanctuary, which is now covered by the panelling which was put in 1920. At the same time the removal of the plaster ceiling revealed the medieval oak roof.
Of the original chancel screen only the rough frame consisting of six wooden piers supporting the rood beam has survived, which bears the carved inscription: “This Church was builded upon the Devo'con of the Cuntrye by ye labor and travell of Ed Tanat, Jo. Dodd, Tho. Buckley, Ra. Weston, P. A.D. 1609”. The very top of the beam above this has egg-and–dart moulding. During the restoration of 1862 alterations were made to the screen, and more work was carried out on it in 1920. Various coats of arms were painted onto the piers.
The nave is stone flagged, while the chancel and sanctuary has encaustic tiles in a geometric pattern.
The vestry has a small two-light in the east wall, a four-light in the north wall (in the style of the 17th century windows) and a small door in the west wall from which rises a tall chimney.
The lych-gate is a large timber-framed construction, with an inscription which reads "John Warburton, George Barbour Ch Wardens 1 Tercentenary year Harthill Church 1609 – 1909”.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
17th century Oak table, perhaps c1609, much ‘restored’ and enlarged in 1862. The original top is visible from underneath. The new mensa slab bears the name of the Rector of that time, and that of the joiner who did the work with the date.
Clock
Reredos
20th century Oak panelling installed in 1920, with Jacobean-style pediment behind the altar with carved scrolling above a panel engraved with “Do this in remembrance of me”. Flanked by Commandment boards, also probably c1920.
Pulpit
18th century Quite plain hexagonal pulpit of oak with finely carved panels, probably early or mid-18th century.
Lectern
19th century Ornate brass lectern with scrollwork and lion’s feet, dated 1894.
Font (component)
19th century The present sandstone font is plain and octagonal with a moulded foot, probably c1862. Wooden cover with brass handle.
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century 1. The south sanctuary window has coloured glass and is dedicated by “Thomas Lea of Oak Bank Farm, Broxton in memory of my father William Lea who died October 15th 1869”. 2. The six-light chancel east window has the Passion of Christ. No dedication or artist visible. 3. The three-light north sanctuary window has the Agnus Dei flanked by St Werburga and St Chad. Across the bottom the dedication: “William Lutener / rector of this parish 1850-98 / who died December 9th 1907 / aged 82. Also in memory of / Mathilda his wife / who died September 6th 1911 aged 81”. In an Arts and Crafts style by Mary Lowndes, one of the pioneer woman glaziers, 1908. 4. Third bay (from the east) south wall, four-light has scenes from the life of Christ. Dedicated in remembrance of: “...Janet widow of Robert Barbour / Esq of Bolesworth castle/ died May 4th MDCCCXCVI / in the nineteenth year of / her age. This window was / erected by her son George Barbour”. 5. Second bay, has from left to right Sir Percival / Sir Galahad / St Martin / St George. Window dedicated in remembrance of: “...Robert Barbour / who was killed September 3rd 1928 / Dedicated to / his memory by his sisters / Cara, Janet, Eleanor, Daisy / Alison, Gina, Isabel”. 6. North light in west wall, a Gothic two-light, has Jesus the Healer, while the south light has Suffer the Children and his Baptism. It is dedicated to the memory of “....John Johnson of the Higher Hall / who died 17th October 1861 aged 83 / this window is erected by his widow”. 7. First bay of the north wall has Jesus raising a young boy from the dead, whose likeness is that commemorated below: “Young man I say unto thee – arise. Luke VII Ch 14. In memory of Walter Lewis Lutener who died October 12th 1889 Aged 18 years”.
Inscribed Object
17th - 20th century Assorted monuments.
Organ (component)
19th century Built by Nicholson and Lord of Walsall, bought for the church in 1891 at a cost of £182.6.9d. 2 manuals and a pedal, 13 speaking stops. It was restored in 1984.
Rail
20th century Turned balusters with central hinged gate, 1920; reportedly donated by Mr George Barbour of Bolesworth Castle.
Pew (component)
19th century Oak bench pews installed in 1865, incorporating panels from the box pews in use till then (early 18th century). The panelling around the nave walls bears the initials R B (which are also carved into the masonry of the north wall) and the date 1728. The lettering is compatible with the date.
Stall
18th century Two sets of choir stalls and clergy desks, oak, to match the communion rails and pulpit, probably early or mid-18th century.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers held at the Diocesan Registry Office. Records dating back to 1599.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 500 552
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.
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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