South Runcton: St Andrew
Overview
Grid reference: TF 635 89
Built 1839 to the designs of John Brown replacing a Norman church, which in its turn possibly replaced an Anglo-Saxon church. There are marked graves going back to the early 18th century. The village is recorded in Domesday Book.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and apsidal chancel, apsidal north vestry, west bellcote.
Dimensions:
Nave 12x6m, slightly narrower chancel 6m long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 226 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Significant archaeological finds have been reported in the vicinity of the church, in the form of the Anglo-Saxon carved fragments. Area used for the burial of ashes. Churchyard still used for inhumations. Burials from the (Early?) Medieval and Post-Medieval periods and foundations and other features related to the earlier churches can be expected on the site.
South Runcton is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086, then under Abbey of Bury St Edmund.
Exterior Description
The church is a fine example of the Neo-Romanesque style favoured in the early part of the Victorian era, incorporating at least the lower part of the Norman chancel arch. West front with giant corner pilasters. Two orders of shafts to west door below zig-zag arch. 2-light west window above string course under dog-tooth super- arch, flanked by one blind arch left and right similarly decorated. Open gabled bell-cote with single bell at west end.
Nave of three bays divided by pilasters. On the south “show” side each bay has a round lancet flanked by one blind lancet left and right, the latter having necks pinched by obtrusive imposts on nook-shafts. Arches are billet moulded. Corbel table at eaves in form of grotesque heads.
The apse is similar but without decorative blind lights to windows, and with roll moulding replacing billet. North nave wall simpler with one round-headed narrow lancet to each bay. Apsidal vestry added to north chancel 1858 (recorded on integral plaque), with timber parapet and conical roof covered in Nuralite after lead was stolen.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century
Chancel
19th century apsidal
Vestry
19th century apsidal
Bellcote
19th century west
Building Materials
Brick
19th century rendered
Stone
19th century freestone dressings
Slate
19th century roof
Tile
19th century flooring
Plaster
19th century ceiling
Interior
Interior Description
Entry is via the west door. White-washed interior, flaking in places because of damp ingress. Within the nave fixed softwood pews stand on raised wooden platforms, some have oak ends. Coved and plastered ceiling. The organ is on the south side of the nave west bay.
Early 12th-century lower part of chancel arch with two orders of shafts on drum bases, with cushion capitals just becoming scalloped. Square imposts. The round arch is completely renewed with heavy chevron and billet decoration.
There are two steps up into the sanctuary. The oak choir stalls are fixed to raised wooden platforms. In the north wall of the chancel a door leads to the small vestry.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century High altar, open arcaded front.
Pulpit
19th century Good, plain panels, Victorian, stone steps.
Lectern
19th century Wood, turned stem.
Font (component)
19th century Round bowl supported on base, with blind arcading, Victorian.
Reredos
19th century Creed and Lord's Prayer in painted panels around the apse.
Pew (component)
19th century Pine pews set into platforms, plain.
Stall
19th century Oak choir stalls, simple.
Rail
19th century Wooden, plain.
Organ (component)
19th century Single manual pipe organ by Samuel Street, probably contemporary with the church.
Inscribed Object
19th / 20th century Chancel: two late early 19th-century neo-Gothic wall tablets to local families, one of which to Robert Peel of Wallington Hall, died 1843, by F C Mace (left), the other to members of the Bell family. Small heraldic shields presumably of these families. Smaller more recent tablets. Ledger slab to Robert Peel and his wife recording burial in chancel. WW1 and WW2: Tablet in nave.
Stained Glass (window)
19th century Chancel east lancet, St Andrew. Simple and unsigned, but with unusual Neo-Romanesque detail and apparently contemporary with the church. “Quality stained glass of this period is relatively scarce, and the use of a neo-Romanesque style even scarcer.”
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Historic registers kept in CRO, from 1562.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TF 635 89
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
Showing 8 entries of 8 View All
Quinquennial Inspections
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.