Diameter: 28" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1839
Dove Bell ID: 51937 Tower ID: 18934 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Cambridge: Abbey Church
Diocese of Ely
Closed Church, 614028
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: TL 463 589
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Cruciform plan with 5-bay nave, transepts, 3-bay chancel, south porch, south-east tower over vestry, north-east organ chamber.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 14m (45ft) x 7m (22ft), chancel 7m (22ft) long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 194 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The site is in an area outside the King’s Ditch, but Prehistoric, Saxon and Medieval remains are known from the surrounding area and while not expected, cannot be ruled out. The church was built in the early 13th century as the capella ante portas, or gate chapel, of Barnwell Priory, the site of which stretched to the north. This was a Priory of Augustinian Canons, founded in 1092 and moved from near Cambridge Castle to this site outside the Medieval walls in 1112. The church still retains original fabric and features, despite frequent works over the centuries, particularly to the north wall.
The Priory was surrendered in 1538 and much of the stone was used for the new chapel of Corpus Christi College. The Priory site is now mostly built over and the only other surviving above-ground features are a section of precinct wall and a single vaulted chamber of the same date which was probably the kitchen, situated at the junction of Priory Road and Beche Road. This is but 60m north of the chapel.
The chapel was retained as the parish church of Barnwell parish, and became known as the Abbey Church; the area is still known as Abbey Ward. However its location then and now proved difficult; it became dilapidated and was closed in 1846, but was restored 1854-6 under the supervision of the Cambridge Architectural Society and with an ICBS Grant by Joseph Clark and Richard Reynolds Rowe of London, whereby Clarke conducted an inspection only. The organ chamber was added by them, the stair possibly adapted from that to the rood screen.
A vestry was added in the late 19th century. Restoration works took place in 1923-1925, carried out by Henry Castree Hughes of Cambridge, also with an ICBS Grant. The south porch appears to have been built at this time, although this is not referred to in the grant offer. A boiler chamber with plain stack was added at some point off the north wall. The church was listed Grade II in 1950, the brief listing description has not been amended.
The building and site are clearly of at least considerable archaeological significance. Burials may be expected from the Reformation onwards.
Exterior Description
A small and apparently simple church consisting of chancel and nave with later additions, which gives the appearance of having been heavily restored. Although there are a number of interesting features when one looks closers.
The survival of original fabric and features is clearest at the west end with its two widely spaced lancet windows, above them the bells still hang in a twin-lancet bellcote within the apex. This is a very interesting arrangement, and a rare survival. Victorian cross finial above, buttresses with two weatherings to the corners and to each bay.
The nave has 2-light plate-tracery north and south windows, the east end is pierced by three equal pointed lancets, again probably original, though restored. Simple north vestry at west end with gabled roof, pointed west doorway. The main entrance is through the vestry, which offers useful space. The south porch is at present boarded up.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is plastered and whitewashed. There is a continuous sill course which rises over the doorways. Dark-stained 1850s benches with narrow shaped ends and open backs. Red carpets. A curved flight of steps leads from a pointed doorway in the south wall up to the organ chamber, a bellows can be worked from the top step. The pipes are exposed in an arch in the internal wall.
Wagon roof to the nave, the chancel is panelled with white ribs and blue infill. There are plain light-stained choir stalls which look 1920s or later, wooden panelling around the sanctuary. Medieval grave slab with floriate cross built lengthways into an arched niche in the south wall.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 463 589
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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