Diameter: 18" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1878
Dove Bell ID: 56872 Tower ID: 21715 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Littleport: St Matthew
Overview
Grid reference: TL 538 884
Built at low cost in 1878-89 to a plan by the local architect “Mr Smith” and by the builder E Brown of Kings Lynn, who were apparently also responsible for Wisbech St Augustine. Externally very plain, with bands of red brick around the walls and over the window heads used for decorative effect. The architectural style chosen is rather loose, but basically Transitional.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay nave, with transepts and slightly narrower 2-bay chancel, shallow north vestry and south porch.
Dimensions:
Nave 11m (35 feet) x 6.6m (20 feet), chancel 5m (16 feet) x 5m.
Description of Archaeology and History
Built at low cost in 1878-89 to a plan by the local architect “Mr Smith” and by the builder E Brown of Kings Lynn, who were apparently also responsible for Wisbech St Augustine. Neither church was mentioned by Pevsner. Over the south door is a board which reads: “The Incorporated Society for Building and Churches granted £100 in AD 1878 towards building this church upon condition that all the sittings are for the free use of the parishioners according to the law”. No major alterations since.
Exterior Description
Externally very plain, with bands of red brick around the walls and over the window heads used for decorative effect. The architectural style chosen is rather loose, but basically Transitional.
The chancel and nave windows are tall pointed lancets, with a tall two-light in the west wall and in each transept gable and a tall three-light in the chancel east window. The tracery in each window is simple but slightly different. The east window has a stone hood-mould with square stops.
The gables have stone copings and kneelers, and the roof-line is elaborated by finial crosses and serrated ridge-tiles, and by a small gabled west belfry with a single bell.
The entrance porch has a simple low pointed doorway and small lancets in the side walls. There are tall slim buttresses between each bay, each with one steep weathering.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Unknown
Coloured glass cross in the east chancel window
Building Materials
Brick
19th Century
Yellow brick with red brick used for decorative effect.
Slate
Unknown
Roof
Bath Stone
Unknown
Dressings
Interior
Interior Description
Internally the only architectural flourish is provided by the chancel arch, which is pointed and of Bath stone. It has a plain continuous chamfer and rests on moulded stone corbels. Apart from this the only decoration is the brick banding.
The western bay is separated as a baptistery by an open tracery oak screen. This was originally a chancel screen, donated in 1938. The north transept is occupied by a war memorial, while the south transept functions as a Lady chapel and organ chamber.
There is one step up to the chancel and two more to the sanctuary. The transept and chancel floors are laid with tiles in geometric patterns, while the nave has wooden boards into which the pews are set. Red carpet down the middle of the church. Arch-braced timber roof in the nave, scissor-beam roof in the chancel carried on plain stone corbels; waggon roofs in the transepts.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Unknown
Plain oak panelled chest, dedicated in memory of Frank Dynza Brace, Priest vicar from 1923-37.
Pulpit
1955
Plain oak panelled square
Lectern
1938
Plain light wood
Lectern
1955
Small wooden portable lectern
Font (object)
Unknown
Hexagonal Bath stone with a polypod base. Turned oak cover.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 538 884
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
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