Building record 185/1/1 - Church of St. Mary

Church. Late 12th century, early 14th century and Perpendicular. Squared uncoursed limestone and ironstone, lead and slate roofs. Chancel, nave and aisle, north porch, west tower.

{1} Church. Late C12, early C14 and Perpendicular. Squared uncoursed limestone and ironstone, lead and slate roofs. Chancel, nave and aisle, north porch, west tower. East window in chancel c.1300, 3 trefoiled lancets, 2 two-light windows with Y-tracery, also c.1300, to south C19 priests doorway, C19 lancet to north. In south aisle, plain C13 lancet in east wall; south east window c.1300 has Y-tracery and hood with lead stops. 2-light window with quatrefoil in head right of doorway. South doorway, late C12, has round arch with roll mouldings and jamb shafts with crudely moulded capitals. Window to left, c.1300, 2 lights with cusped Y-tracery. Round headed late C12 lancet in west wall. Perpendicular west tower: 3 stages with crenellated parapet, bell openings of 2 lights with cusped heads and transom. In north aisle, windows in east and west walls and right of porch all early C14 with tracery, renewed C19. C14 window left of porch has 3 cusped lights and 4-centred head. North porch rebuilt 1885 (datestone). Inner doorway, early C14, has arch with roll mouldings and hollow chamfered jambs. Interior: South arcade, 2 bays with pointed double chamfered arches and round pier. Stiff-leaf carving on capital of east respond. North arcade, c.1300, three bays with octagonal piers and double chamfered arches. West and north-west windows of north aisle have corbels carved with naturalistic foliage. Perpendicular chancel screen and bench ends. C15 stained glass. East window of north aisle: Fragmentary figures of St. Anne and Virgin Mary, with St. Christopher. Monument to Fulk Woodhull, died 1613. North aisle, stone effigy in recess framed by fluted columns of composite order. Early C18 black marble floor slabs to Woodhull family with coats of arms and fine lettering. Painted wooden panel with crest recording repairs to church in 1701 paid for by John Tooley (no evidence of these repairs visible). (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.425).

{6} (SP 51904153) St Mary's Church

{8} Undated photo;

{9} There are fine examples of medieval painted glass figures of SS Anne and Christopher in the east window of the nave north aisle.

{10} Drawing of church, notes and sketches of church, notes and drawings on design for new roof, notes, sketches and drawings on money box in church, drawing with measurements of cedar chest, sketch of cross in gable of north porch;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/216 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F02 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.205-6 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.716-17 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<5> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.425 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<6> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date) (Map). SNN112944.

<7> Historic England, Undated, St Mary's Church, Thenford, BF044030 (Archive). SNN112976.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Thenford (Photographs). SNN113594.

<9> Marks R., 1998, Stained Glass Of Northamptonshire, p. 275-6 (Book). SNN101533.

<10> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/263/2,3,6,7,9-11,13,17 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 9:12AM