Building record 295/2/1 - Church of St. Mary Magdalene

Church built in the 14th century, the west tower was rebuilt in 1823, and the church was restored in 1841. Further restoration work took place in 1876, the work was carried out by E F Law. Builtof coursed limestone rubble, with lead roofs except for the chancel, which has a slate roof, and the porches, which have plain tile roofs. The church consists of a chancel, north chancel vestry and organ chamber, nave, north and south aisles and porches, and a west tower.

{1} Church. C14. West tower rebuilt 1823, restored 1841, and 1876 by E.F. Law. Coursed limestone rubble, lead roofs except for chancel - slate, and porches - plain tile. Chancel, north chancel vestry and organ chamber, nave, north and south aisles and porches, west tower. 3-bay chancel has 4-light east window with intersecting tracery, 2-light north window with ogee-arched head and reticulated tracery and remains of piscina with cusped head incorporated in wall beside east door to C19 vestry, a 3-light south-east window similar to that to north, and one-light south-west low side window with ogee head and trefoil. Nave has clerestory with 4 2-light windows to north and 3 to south with 4-centred heads. North aisle has C19 east extension overlapping chancel and 2-light Decorated windows throughout. North door has simple pointed arch. North porch has hollow-chamfered doorway with 4-centred head, cut spandrels, small blocked one-light window above and rectangular windows north and south with chamfered surrounds and ironstone infill with cross ventilation slits. South aisle has 2-light Decorated south and east windows with cusped Y-tracery and 2-light arch mullion window to west. South porch similar to north with blank arch above door inscribed JHP/JH/CHWDS/AD/1841. 3-stage west tower has west door with 4-centred head and 2-light arch-mullion window above. Datestone to middle stage west side inscibed REBUILT/1823. 2-light bell openings with cusped Y-tracery. Diagonal buttresses, battlemented parapets and corner pinnacles. Church has chamfered plinth, string course, stepped to chancel, plain stone-coped parapets to aisles and clerestory, and stone-coped gables to chancel and porches. Diagonal buttresses to chancel. All windows and doors except for small side windows of porches have hood moulds, some with carved label stops. Interior: chancel has stepped string course, C19 stone reredos with painted angels and fine 3-bay sedilia and piscina with ogee cusped heads, crocketted hood moulds and pinnacles; chamfered priest's door to north with ogee head and hood mould. Double-chamfered chancel arch, inner arch on polygonal responds. Nave has 3-bay arcades with octagonal piers, capitals, and double-chamfered archs. C19 roofs throughout except for moulded ties and purlins of nave roof, possible C15. Medieval stained glass fragments in heads of aisle windows ad canopy heads in south-east chancel windows, including figure of mason in north-east aisle window. Tomb recess with Purbeck marble tomb slab with foliated cross. C17 communion table in south aisle. Complete set of C19 pitch pine furnishings, (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.253; Kelly's Directory for Northants, 1928)

{5} Medieval tile found 1872, drawn and painted by Henry Dryden May 1873;

{9} Architectural analysis of the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Helmdon indicate that it is predominantly of fourteenth century date, although there is some architectural and documentary evidence suggesting that it had an earlier, and perhaps much earlier origin. It has also been suggested that the church site marks a foci of Saxon settlement which was later reorganised in a planned rectangular form about the manor of Overbury.
The Watching Brief revealed some minor details regarding the construction of the South Aisle and showed that the graveyard has been extensively used. Some evidence suggesting that the South Porch was a completely new construction of 1841 was also considered.
No evidence of any major and significant (i.e. medieval or earlier) structures or features was noted during the Watching Brief. No early or high status human burials were noted.
No pre-modern artefacts were noted during the Watching Brief. Small fragments of human bone and the occasional larger piece were found during the mechanical excavation of the service trenches. No articulated or intact in situ burials were observed. All human bone was left in situ or collected and reburied.

{10} In St Mary Magdalen Church Helmdon, at the east end of the north wall. Stained glass window dated 1313, commemorating William Campiun, a stonemason wielding his hammer. Remounted in recent years, the original lead is retained in a wall frame close by.

{11} Two undated photos, also one photo dated December 1993 and one dated 30.11.1993.

{13} Several pieces of medieval glass including the panel of William Campiun.

{14} Sketch of window glass of William Campiun dated May 1873;

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

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F07 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.253 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Alexander J., 1987, Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400, (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN813.

<5> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/144/15 (Archive). SNN115.

<6> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.622-23 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<7> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.173-74 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<8> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<9> Ivens R.J., 2002, Archaeological Recording Action At the Church Of St Mary Magdalene, Helmdon, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN102364.

<10> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.

<11> Photographs of buildings in Helmdon (Photographs). SNN112671.

<12> Historic England, Undated, St Mary Magdalene's Church, Helmdon, BF044013 (Archive). SNN115786.

<13> Marks R., 1998, Stained Glass Of Northamptonshire, p. 102-4; plate 9 (Book). SNN101533.

<14> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/144/13 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 9:53AM