Weight: 93 lbs Diameter: 16" Bell 1 of 1
1684
Dove Bell ID: 61408 Tower ID: 24290 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Ulgham: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 234 924
The Church of St John the Baptist belonged to the Morpeth Rectory until 1875 when it became a separate parish. However, it is believed that a church has stood in this place since Saxon times. The church was dowsed in 1985 showing a building on the present nave, minus the north aisle, with an apse extending just over half the way into the present chancel area. It is suggested that the first church was early 11th century and would have been served by the itinerant monks of Lindisfarne. However, the church site at Ulgham is ancient, as can be shown by the height of the burial ground around the church and its proximity to the Manor House. Two window heads survive from the Norman church. One has been built into the external wall below the belfry and the other is inside the church on the east wall of the north aisle. The Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments dates the latter carved window around 1100 AD.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 233 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
It is believed that a church has stood in this place since Saxon times. The church was dowsed in 1985 showing a building on the present nave, minus the north aisle, with an apse extending just over half the way into the present chancel area. The alignment of the church was north of east, which may indicate a Saxon church, because, according to current theory still being tested, the Saxons did not know about magnetic north. If the Saxons had built a wooden church, later demolished by the Normans, the Normans would probably have used the same foundations. If they had built on virgin land the alignment would have been true east. It is suggested that the first church was early 11th century and would have been served by the itinerant monks of Lindisfarne. However, the church site at Ulgham is ancient, as can be shown by the height of the burial ground around the church and its proximity to the Manor House. Two window heads survive from the Norman church. One has been built into the external wall below the belfry and the other is inside the church on the east wall of the north aisle. The Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments dates the latter carved window around 1100 AD. If there was a Saxon church and then a Norman Church, the present church is the fourth church. It is not known when the third church was built but a description of the church written in the 1800s states “it is impossible to describe its style except as an unhappy example of carpenter’s Gothic”. The present church was completed in 1863. The Rev. Francis Grey was responsible for rebuilding the chancel and the Curate of Morpeth and Ulgham, the Rev. John Bolland wanted the people of Ulgham to rebuild the nave. However, the reverend died on a journey to Jerusalem in 1857 and it was the Rev. Francis Grey who was responsible for encouraging the people and raising the money to build the nave some years later. There is a cross in the churchyard of Morpeth parish church in memory of Rev. John Bollard. Money was collected for the cross in Morpeth and any remaining money was put towards the rebuilding of the nave at Ulgham. There is a smaller cross near the path to the church door at Ulgham which was given in memorium by the brothers of Rev. John Bollard. The chancel is distinguished from the nave, inside and out, by an architectural detail of small carved stone crosses inside a circle. The motif does not appear in the nave but is repeated on the pulpit and font. It is not known if the stone basin in the porch was a font purchased in 1745 or perhaps a holy water stoup, as it has been attached to a wall at some time in the past.
Interior
Interior Description
There is a memorial window to the Hon. and Rev. Francis Grey which was dedicated on 21 March 1891, the first anniversary of his death. The other stained glass windows are all memorials to members of the Fenwick family who lived at Ulgham Grange. The reading desk, hymn board and font cover are all memorials to former worshippers. More recently the church has received a stained glass window dedicated to the Simm family, a wafer box, processional candle, bible book mark, memorial table, prayer book and ciborium in memory of worshippers and their relatives. The kneelers were worked by members of the congregation and many of them are in memorium or to celebrate weddings or special anniversaries. The brass cross at the altar came from St Cuthbert’s church in Newcastle upon Tyne when it closed. A Triptych used to hang on the wall behind the altar, partly obscuring the windows. This now hangs as three separately framed pieces on the south wall of the chancel. It was given to the church by Miss Ada Currey who visited Ulgham from Surrey in 1887. The inscription on the back tells that it is a copy of the Arundel Society’s reproduction of Perugino’s fresco in the cloisters of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi at Florence. The carved stones have been identified as being part of a monument from the 17th or 18th century, possibly relating to the Lawson family. The full inscription can be seen on a wooden board above the church door. The Coat of Arms above the board appears to be that of the Lawson family. A major refurbishment took place in 2009. The wood and stone floor in the nave was replaced with a wooden suspended floor above a concrete slab and insulation to prevent dampness attacking the floor again. The wooden dado was also replaced. New heating and enhanced lighting was installed in the chancel. The old pitch pine pews were replaced with oak pews purchased from a church in Darlington. These pews are the same age as the church and are a perfect match for the existing oak pulpit and lectern. Under pew heating was installed to make the nave a warmer place to sit. The opportunity was taken to replace the pews in the north aisle and around the font with oak chairs, made locally, to give more flexibility of use. Following this refurbishment, the windows behind the altar were cleaned. They are by William Wailes of Newcastle who perfected the grisaille background.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 234 924
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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