Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 62615 Tower ID: 24958 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Woodlands: St Stephen
Overview
Grid reference: SU 365 731
The church was built in 1837 as a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. It fell into disuse by the end of the C19 and in 1910 was acquired by local resident and benefactor, Captain Burmester, to convert into a church for the inhabitants of Shefford Woodlands to save them the walk to and from the parish church in the valley below. It was consecrated for use by the Church of England in 1911 at which time two short transepts and a north porch and entrance were added, the latter replacing the chapel entrance at the west end.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 115 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1837 as a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. It fell into disuse by the end of the C19 and in 1910 was acquired by local resident and benefactor, Captain Burmester, to convert into a church for the inhabitants of Shefford Woodlands to save them the walk to and from the parish church in the valley below.
It was consecrated for use by the Church of England in 1911 at which time two short transepts and a north porch and entrance were added, the latter replacing the chapel entrance at the west end.
In the years after the First World War, the interior was converted into a memorial to men from Shefford Woodlands, or closely associated with it, who had died during the conflict. Stained glass memorial windows on the south wall of the nave and carved pews and wall panelling were installed, much of it by Captain Burmester, perhaps to designs by his wife Alicia, with carving on the main door and Tree of Life by Joan Drewe, a daughter of the Revd. Drewe, rector between 1923 and 1935. A date of 1935 on the wall panelling near to the pulpit suggests that this work continued over a period of time.
The benefactor who purchased the church for the hamlet and his wife are commemorated by stained glass and memorials of 1946 and 1948.
Exterior Description
he church has a gabled roof with a cross finial at the east end and coped parapets to the east and west; the latter angular with a raised centre. The principal north elevation has a gabled entrance porch with arched opening, surmounted by a cross finial. Attached to the wall to the right (west) of the porch is a bell protected by a bracketed timber hood. On the north and south elevations of the nave are two, single round-headed windows with stone surrounds and stained glass. The west elevation has a central, round-headed window; the east end has three windows, all with stained glass. Both the north and south transepts have pent roofs, lit by a single occuli and two pairs of round-headed windows with diamond leaded-lights.
Interior
Interior Description
he church interior is plainly embellished, with quarry tile and timber floor coverings and a timber-clad ceiling supported on stone corbels, with carved bosses over the sanctuary.
At the east end, the sanctuary has a raised floor of encaustic tiles, generally red with interspersed tiles with yellow Fleur de Llys. Carved wall panels depicting linen-fold in relief with a red-painted background have an intricate carved frieze above, topped by finials.There are carved menorah on either side of the sanctuary opening. The east end windows depict Christ in Majesty centrally flanked by Saints and are dedicated to members of the Carden family. The altar is said to be Elizabethan, bought here from Great Shefford church; the altar rails are probably late-C20. To the rear of the choir pews is coffered panelling; the pews have simple carving.
The nave has distinctive half-height panelling with carved friezes with lettering in relief on a red-painted background, thought to be created by Captain Burmester to commemorate the community’s fallen soldiers.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 365 731
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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