Building record 860/1/1 - Church of St. Luke, Cold Higham

Church built in the 13th century, with 14th century additions. The building was restored in 1879, the chancel was rebuilt and the north aisle and organ chamber were added, the work was done by E.F. Law. Built of coursed squared ironstone, slate roof with tiled ridges to chancel, copper roofs to body of church and stone slate roof to tower. the church consists of a chancel, organ chamber, nave, north aisle, south chapel and west tower.

{1} Church. C13, C14. Restored, chancel rebuilt, north aisle and organ chamber added 1879 by E.F. Law. Coursed squared ironstone, slate roof with tiled ridges to chancel, copper roofs to body of church and stone slate roof to tower. Chancel, organ chamber, nave, north aisle, south chapel and west tower. 2-bay chancel has 3-light geometrical east window, 1-light window to south-east with cusped heads, 2-light Decorated window to south-west. Tomb recess to south with colonnettes, moulded capitals, hollow-chamfered segmental arch and hood mould framing chest tomb supporting gravestone with foliated cross. Organ chamber to north has hollow-chamfered east door, 2-light window to north with plate tracery and transom and gable above. North aisle has north door with sunk quadrant moulding and 2-light Decorated windows. Nave has south door with sunk quadrant moulding and 2-light Decorated window to south-west. South chapel has 2-light Decorated east window with cusped heads to lights and quatrefoil to head, similar window to south and small low-side 1-light blocked window to south, possibly Saxon, with splayed jambs and pointed head carved of one stone. 3-stage west tower has lancet window to west, blocked 1-light window or niche to middle stage west and small 1-light window to middle stage south with chamfered stone surround and straight head. 2-light bell-chamber openings, that to south, with cusped heads to lights and quatrefoil to head. Plain stone-coped parapet to north and south and saddleback roof with 1-light windows to stone-coped east and west gables. Plain stone-coped parapets to body of church, corbelled stone eaves to chancel. Most windows and all doors have hood moulds. Interior: chancel arch has plain piers, imposts and double-chamfered arch dying into wall. Nave has C19 4-bay north arcade with circular piers and double-chamfered arches. Chamfered arch to south chapel dying into piers with sunk-quadrant mouldings and hood mould. Chapel has piscina with chamfered arch and fine tomb recess to south with triple sunk-quadrant moulded ogee arch with ball-flower ornament flanked by crocketed pinnacles. C19 stained glass windows to chapel. Monuments: fine oaken effigy of cross-legged knight in chapel tomb recess on tomb chest with ogee-headed panels containing shields. Believed to commemorate Sir John de Patteshall 1292-1349. Small brass wall monument with moulded stone surround to Edward Norris, d.1695. Grey veined marble wall monument to John Aylworth, d.1729, with open pediment, painted crest and cartouche of arms to apron. Vertical oval limestone wall monument to Rev. John Nixon, d.1777, with small cartouche of arms above: supporting bracket signed Wm. Cox/Daventry. White marble wall monument, topped by urn, to Rev. John Bishop, d.1817. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, 1973, p.153; Kelly's Directory for Northamptonshire, 1928).

{10} The sandstone church has a late 12th century saddle backed tower. Otherwise it was thoroughly restored and rebuilt in the late 18th century.

{11} Structural movement to the east has occurred leaving the masonry vulnerable to water ingress and there is erosion of all ironstone; this of particular concern at high level on the tower.

{12} Undated photo;

{13} Photo dated 09.12.93;

{14} Photo dated 1884;

{15} Ink drawing of tower dated 186?;

{16} Detailed drawings, measurements and notes on two coffins found in south wall of chancel, one of which contained a chalice and paten, which are also drawn, all of the above dated 1879;

{18} [Former list description] The sandstone church at Cold Higham has a late 12th century saddle backed tower. Otherwise it was thoroughly restored and rebuilt in the late 18th century.

{20} Tracings, sketches, measurements, drawings, plan;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/34 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F09 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.261-62 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<5> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, 42 p.45-47 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<6> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<7> 1928, Kelly's Directory (1928), (unchecked) (Trade Directory). SNN104681.

<8> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.153 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<9> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP65SE7 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<11> Historic England, 2017, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2017, p. 63 (Report). SNN111090.

<11> Historic England, 2018, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2018, p. 63 (Report). SNN111434.

<12> Various, Various, Photographs of buildings in Cold Higham (Photographs). SNN111561.

<13> Various, Various, Photographs of buildings in Cold Higham (Photographs). SNN111561.

<14> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/67/11 (Archive). SNN115.

<15> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/67/13 (Archive). SNN115.

<16> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/67/12, 17-19, 23, 23 (Archive). SNN115.

<17> Bloxham M.H., 1878, On The Medieval Sepulchral Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.251 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN107097.

<18> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Ministry of Housing and Local Government list, Towcester Rural District, 1949 (Report). SNN112993.

<19> Historic England, Undated, St Luke's Church, Cold Higham, BF107276 (Archive). SNN115880.

<20> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/067/2-6, 8-10, 14,15,20,21 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Mar 20 2025 4:27PM