Diameter: 27.81" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 61068 Tower ID: 24078 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Thorpe Constantine: St Constantine
Overview
Grid reference: SK 259 87
Rebuilt by J Oldrid Scott within Thorpe Hall estate in 1883. Replaced earlier church but retained tower of 14th century origin.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower with spire, porch in base, 3-bay aisleless nave, 2-bay chancel with north vestry.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 10m (33ft) x 6m (20ft), chancel 6m (20ft) x 5m (16ft)
Footprint of Church buildings: 141 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
An estate church built in 1883 (date stone in east wall) designed by J Oldrid Scott, the second son of Sir Gilbert Scott. The building incorporates some medieval fabric from a previous church on the site, of which the 14th century tower remains, though altered. The nave replaced an 18th century rebuild. Lead downpipes to the tower are likely to pre-date the reconstruction.
Thorpe Hall was remodelled in the 19th century with north and south wings built in 1800 and 1812 designed by Thomas Gardner of Derby. The estate has been in the ownership of the Inge family since the 17th century. The line continued with the Lillingstone family in 1953. The hall is surrounded by landscaped grounds established in the early 19th century.
Archaeological records record a deserted pre-Norman settlement on the estate. Two villagers and six smallholders were recorded in 1086. A medieval village, located somewhere between the hall and the house, is thought to have disappeared post-1541-42, probably on the emparkment of the estate. The archaeological potential of the site is considerable. There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot, though it contains mature trees and is within the grounds of the listed hall.
Exterior Description
The church is picturesquely situated within the estate, approached through a tree-lined avenue from the south, and glimpsed through trees, with the spire rising above. The main path from the west approaches the tower through shaped yew trees. Steps up from the driveway, beneath an iron overthrow, display a bronze plaque commemorating W F Inge. In 1990 Findlay wrote that the design of the church ‘respects the tenets of the Ecclesiological society (which shows how old-fashioned it is for its date) and the result is a well proportioned structure of post-Puginian Gothic neatness.’ A tiled French drain continues around the base. SPAB-style tile repairs to the stonework are evident in the south-west corner.
A fairly plain three-stage square west tower with a moulded door in the base with two attached columns with foliate capitals and oak doors with scrolling ironwork. Angle buttresses only to the first stage with ogee-headed lancets to north and south sides in the second stage, and Y-traceried louvred openings to each side above, before a plain parapet. Beyond it extends a tall stone spire with Y-tracery lucarnes – two-lights to base and single lights higher up. The spire terminates with a gilded cockerel weather-vane.
The north and south aisle walls are pierced by three sets of cusped Y-tracery, two-light pointed windows with hood-moulds. A continuous sill runs beneath the windows whilst a plinth rises around the base of the church between each bay. A decorative cast-iron gutter continues around the church at eaves level with polygonal cast-iron rainwater heads with embossed rose detail at intervals. Cast-iron downpipes survive, though not in their entirety. Chunky buttress to east end of south aisle. On the north side, a vestry projects at the end of the east aisle. A square-headed door on the west elevation displays Arts and Crafts style iron brackets. A two-light transomed window in the north elevation has a domestic appearance. An octagonal chimney projects on the east side.
The chancel roof is lower than the nave. Two windows similar to those in the aisle, in the south wall, and one set in the north. The gabled east elevation, which has a stone cross finial to its apex, has squat angle buttresses. The east wall is pierced by a three-light east window with cusped intersecting tracery and a hoodmould.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
14th century
Spire
14th century
Porch
19th century in base of tower
Nave
19th century 3-bay aisleless
Chancel
19th century 2-bay
Vestry
19th century north
Building Materials
Sandstone
1883
Sandstone
Stone
19th century ashlar
Tile
19th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is entered through the west door in the base of the tower. An iron ‘cage’ surrounds the entry point. Two steps rise up into the base and another two rise into the nave. The tall plain pointed tower arch is filled by temporary partition boards. Above it on the west side is a Royal Arms on canvas, whilst on the nave side a stencilled banner with text stretches over it. The tower arch stones are left exposed. A trace of wall painting survives to the south side of the doorway on the nave side.
The walls of the small nave are plastered with exposed stone window arches. The floor is paved with large alternating stone and red square tiles set on the diagonal with iron ventilation grates along the full length of the nave, partly covered by carpet. Either side of the aisle are level woodblock pew platforms with simple fixed oak pews with scroll arms, c.1883. They have a small rose carving to each end. Pew frontals with larger roses to the pew ends. In the south-west (where font is located) and north-west corners the tiles are set on the square. Overhead the roof is formed of an open timber structure of collar and tie-beams with king-posts and cusped struts resting on stone corbels between each bay.
The nave windows contain clear glazing with red glazed borders, timber struts remain from recently removed secondary glazing. The set of windows at the east end of the north and south nave walls have cusped rere-arches (repeated around the east window). Two suspended brass chandeliers provide light in the nave. A wall-mounted light illuminates the pulpit in the north-east corner.
A pointed chancel arch of two orders, the inner carried on small moulded corbels; over it on the north side is a stencilled banner containing text. Pointed painted panels to either side display the Ten Commandments. The chancel is raised by a step. The floor is paved in red and stone square tiles. A single row of oak choir stalls is to the south side only. A two-bay arcade along both north and south chancel walls. To the north side the organ is recessed behind the first arch and the vestry is entered through an ogee-arched doorway to one side of it. The other arcades are shallow, with only the windows placed within them. A wooden barrel vault with carved foliate bosses ceils the space.
The Sanctuary is raised by a single step, and is paved in decorative encaustic tiles. A curtain hangs behind the altar. A credence shelf is situated within the wall to the south.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century ornate oak table with ogee brackets
Pulpit
19th century fixed oak octagonal pulpit with carved open tracery panels, colonnettes, integrated wooden steps
Lectern
19th century oak lectern on octagonal stem with ogee brackets and roses in quatrefoils
Font (component)
19th century octagonal alabaster font on green marble shaft, plain shields to each face
Rail
19th century oak rail on scrolled iron uprights
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century • East window – Come unto me all ye that labour and heavy laden and I will give you rest by Burlison and Grylls, c.1883; • North sanctuary window – Christ Calling his Disciples by Burlison and Grylls, c.1903 with brass plaque to William Frederick Inge beneath; • South sanctuary window – c.1883 in memory of Rev George Inge; • South chancel window – Christ with Martha and Mary and Phebe by Burlison and Grylls, c.1907. Face of Phebe a portrait of Mary Anne Inge who the window commemorates as recorded by a brass plaque beneath.
Plaque (component)
20th century various brass plaques
Organ (component)
19th century small freestanding two-manual organ possibly by Hill and Son, 1883
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Staffordshire Records Office holds registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials dating back to 1539.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 259 87
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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