Building record 1160/14/1 - Church of Holy Sepulchre, Northampton

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Northampton is one of only nine round churches with a circular nave built in England. Today (2009), only four of these have survived. The church was founded in 1098-1100 by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton, in thanks for his safe return from the Crusades. Its design was based on the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The original church had a round nave of eight columns, supporting a triforium, and a short chancel, probably apse-ended. In circa 1180 a north aisle was added and a second was added circa 1275. During the early 15th century a south aisle was built, the triforium of the round nave was replaced by a clerestory, and a western tower was added. The church was extended to the east during restoration work by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1860-4. The round nave (now the Baptistry) was restored in 1868-73 and the chancel screen was made by Oldrid Scott in 1880. Major restoration works which began in the late 20th century were completed in 2009. Most round churches are associated with the Knights Templar or the Knights Hospitaller, however the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Northampton was built earlier as a parish church and has no connection with the Templars nor the Hospitallers.

{1} One of the rare round churches, having an circular nave, derived from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. The original church of about 1100 had a round nave of eight columns, supporting a triforium, and a short chancel, probably apse-ended. A north aisle was added circa 1180, leaving the present arcade. A second north aisle was circa 1275. During the early C15 a south aisle was built, the triforium of the round was replaced by a clerestory, and a western tower was added. The restoration of 1860-4 added further extensions to the east. The round, now the Baptistry, is still impressive, though restored 1868-73. Additions of 1860-4 by Sir George Gilbert Scott. Not a Templar church, always a parish church. Chancel screen by Oldrid Scott, 1880. Brass of 1640.

{2} One of two round churches in the country, the circular nave originating from the Church of The Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. However the parish church was not templar. The round nave is circa 1100 with eight columns supporting a triforium and short chancel. The north aisle was added circa 1180. A second north aisle was added circa 1275 and an early C15th south aisle was built. The triforium was replaced by a clerestorey and the western tower added. Restoration in 1860-4 included extensions to the east. The Round became the baptistry. Later restored in 1868-73.

{3} Part of medieval tiled floor was found outside east end of chancel during restoration works.

{4} Part of medieval pavement found outside east end of chancel in 1861 during restoration.

{5} Sir George Gilbert Scott's additions of 1860-4 included a semi-circular apse with tiles by Lord Alwyne Compton of about 1861.

{6} History and architectural detail of the round church. The roof of the rotunda dates from 1868 and the ambulatory from 1879; the ambulatory was possibly originally two-storeyed with a vaulted lower floor. C15th roof of chancel 'nave'. The whole of the east end of the church as well as the apse is by Scott and dated 1860-4. The tower is early C14th with very large diagonal buttresses with five off-sets.

{7} Font illustration.

{8} North-east view of church building.

{9} Shows that many windows in the nave and chancel had been replaced in post medieval period.

{10} Gift of churches to St Andrew's recorded in a charter of 1108 do not mention St Sepulchre and it has been assumed that its construction was not finished at this time possibly because of interruption by civil war. The outer aisle may have been taken down in 1634 as records show that considerable work was carried out in that year and mainly on the north aisle. The east of round fell into disuse at this time. Restoration of the church was first considered in 1845 as a memorial to the second Marquis of Northampton. In extending the church in 1861 a tile pavement was discovered outside the east end showing that the church had formerly extended further eastwards. During restoration works evidence indicated that the chancel was not square-ended although the exact position of an apse could not be traced. C19th restoration works also revealed foundations of a south porch which was probably a late C12th addition covering the doorway inserted at that time. Its location in relation to original buttresses preclude it being part of the original layout. A circular scratch dial was built bottom-upwards into the south-east angle of the porch.

{11} Foundations found in the digging of a new chancel.

{12} Copy of report on development and architectural description copied directly from RCHME/5/353-61.

{14} Plan of proposed restoration work.

{15} Restoration of the rotunda was carried out between 1868-73 but work was not completed until 1879 when the aisle roof was replaced.

{16} Brass rubbing of George Coles with wives Sarah and Eleanor.

{17} North vestry and organ chamber were built by H.M.Townsend in 1887 replacing the vestry of 1860.

{18} View of the church with outer north chapel removed and chancel cut back.

{19} Salvage recording was carried out on the south aisle due to extensive dry rot which initiated replacement of all wooden flooring. Brick and stone vaults were revealed.

{20} Limited archaeological watching brief was carried out in the south aisle. The interior and south wall was exposed after removal of rotten flooring; sketches and a photographic record were made. Where relatively recent vaults had deteriorated skeletal and coffin remains were removed for re-burial. An under-floor void 0.5m deep was encountered. The floor joists were set on rough stone plinths around a perimeter of existing solid floors to the east, west and north. To the south joists were attached to the wall. Further support from a dwarf brick wall set to central axis which had utilised firm foundation of five stone grave slabs aligned east-west. The slabs were about 0.32m below the wooden floor. Abutting the south wall were five small mortared brick piers up to six courses high. At the base of the underfloor void was a stone and mortar levelling layer or floor about 0.15m deep. Nine brick and stone burial vaults were exposed by contractors. The tops identified varied between 0.75-0.90m below modern floor; probably post medieval/modern origin.

{21} Line drawing of interior.

{22} Four graves, C19th building foundations and finds including white-glazed earthernware and clay tobacco-pipes were recovered; the C14th south aisle wall was the only pre-C19th feature revealed and this had been re-faced in the C19th.

{23} Interior of St Sepulchre's church; no other details.

{24} Generally considered to have been built by Knights Templar on the model of the St Sepulchre in Jerusalem; the circular part was built late C12th/early C13th. It differs from other circular churches in England in that above the columns the wall becomes octagonal. The chancel and north aisle are Early English, with a Perpendicular spire. Burials within the building include George Coles in 1640 to whom a brass is dedicated.

{25} Five altar dedications are recorded; requests for burial in church include: Thomas Knyght in 1500; Agnes Bagnall in 1518; Robert Plummer in 1523; Richard Hawred in 1538; money bequested for repairs to church fabric including 20s. From John Carter in 1527 and 20s. From Richard Packman in 1528. Gilds of St Martin and St Sepulchre are also recorded.

{30} Ground penetrating radar survey. A high degree of symmetry centred on the middle of the Round was observed. This evidence is suggestive of a man-made structure but could possibly be due to rogue ceiling reflections.

{31} A very small section of the west tower was visible in the trench; an offset foundation course was seen which appeared to be built directly on the outcrop of natural ironstone.

{34} Excavation for new drains exposed part of the foundation trench for the 19th century alterations of the east end of the church. A ceramic pipe was exposed by the buttress between the north chapel and the vestry. It is probably the original air supply pipe for the church organ wind chests, becoming obsolete when an electric pump was installed. The organ was moved to its present position in 1887 and so cannot be earlier than this date.

{35} Stratigraphy pre-dating the south wall of the south aisle was encountered.

{36} A small circular hole had appeared in the tarmac that runs along the south aisle of the church. The hole is located approx. 10m east of the circular baptistry, 6m west of the south-east corner door into the south aisle.
The hole results from the collapse of a small section of the thin tarmac of the path into a partly-filled vault beneath. Visual inspection of the vault from the ground surface indicates brick and ?stone walls on the north and south sides, and earth infilling on the east and west sides, leaving a void approx. 1m east-west, 08m north-south, and around 0.5m deep. The roof of the vault lies around 0.1m below the surface. Infilling of the rest of the void was recommended.

{37} Record of an architectural fragment associated with the church. Large roughly squared section stone at just under 1m long. The church architect revealed that the stone had come from the repairs on the tower in the 1970's. It appears to be a reused gargoyle with limited survival of carved figure on the top third, the rest having apparently have been set in the wall. It seems likely that this is an original medieval gargoyle from the tower. The present gargoyles are modern replacements.

{46} Engraving of St Sepulchre's Church.

{45} Framed print by local artist W.E.Blemiri.

{44} General view of the church from the north-east.

{53} The round design of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Northampton was built to the same circular design as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church was started in 1098 and it retains its original round design even after various alterations were carried out throughout the centuries. Only nine round nave churches were built in England: West Thurrock in Essex; Aislasby and Temple Bruer in Lincolnshire; Temple in Holborn, London; the chapel of Ludlow Castle; Temple Church off Fleet Street in London; St John of Jerusalem in Little Maplestead in Essex; Holy Sepulchre in Cambridge and Holy Sepulchre in Northampton. Most of these were associated with either the Knights Templar or the Knights Hospitaller, however the chapel at Ludlow Castle and the Holy Sepulchre churches in Cambridge and Northampton were built earlier and have no connection.
The church has undergone a 1.2 million pound restoration, which was completed in 2009.

{54} Undated photo, probably 1990s.

{56} Series of C19 plans - six plans dated to 1838 by EF Law and one by GG Scott, 1860s.

{57} The fragments of medieval glass in the clerestory were rescued from the east window of the chapel of the Hospital of St Thomas Becket during its demolition in 1874-76.

{58} Drawings, sketches, plans, measurements, rubbings, leaflet, photos.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 1/5 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 p.122 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> Northamptonshire Notes and Queries (Series 1), p.61 (unchecked) (Series). SNN185.

<4> Northamptonshire Notes and Queries (Series 1), p.239-241 (unchecked) (Series). SNN346.

<5> Pearson L., 2003, Gazeteer of British Tile and Architectural Ceramic Sites: County Draft, Northamptonshire, p.2 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN103233.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.322-4 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> BUCKLER, Holy Sepulchre Church, (checked) (Drawing). SNN41656.

<8> FLESHER J., Drawing, (checked) (Drawing). SNN41655.

<9> CLARKE G., 1840, Drawing, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN41615.

<10> Cox; Serjeantson, 1897, A History of the Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, (unchecked) (Book). SNN72349.

<11> 1860, The Northampton Mercury, (unchecked) (Article). SNN46327.

<12> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches, (checked) (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<13> Kingsford, H.S. (Ed.), 1928, The Antiquaries Journal (Vol.8 No.1), p.16+515 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN56489.

<13> Kingsford, H.S. (Ed.), 1928, The Antiquaries Journal (Vol.8 No.4), p.16+515 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN109843.

<14> SCOTT G.G., 1860, NRO 241P/107, NRO 241P/107 (unchecked) (Plan). SNN1881.

<15> SCOTT G.G., 1879, 241P/112, 241P/112 (unchecked) (Plan). SNN1882.

<16> Brass Rubbings at Ashmolean Museum, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41806.

<17> Townsend H.M., 1887, Faculty, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN1883.

<18> BRITTON; EVANS; GOUGH, 1807, THE ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN (Book). SNN56789.

<19> CADMAN G.E., 1993, Northamptonshire Archaeology Unit Annual Fieldwork Report, p.42 (checked) (Note). SNN1722.

<20> CADMAN G.E., 1992, Church of The Holy Sepulchre, (checked) (Report). SNN998.

<21> 1842, Saturday Magazine, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN1001.

<22> Northamptonshire Archaeology, 1995, An Archaeological Evaluation at The Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, (part checked) (Report). SNN2415.

<23> Painting, P17/1933-4 (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN3702.

<24> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.45-47 (checked) (Book). SNN1032.

<25> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.165-66 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M197; (Extract). SNN1080.

<26> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.447-48 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<27> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<28> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.353-61 (microfiche) (unchecked) (Series). SNN77383.

<29> Chapman A.; Chapman P., 2000-01, Northampton, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104000.

<30> Spurgeon, B. & Kightley, P., 2007, Results of a Ground Probing Radar Survey: Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN107327.

<31> Ivens R.J., 2014, An Archaeological Watching Brief at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN109453.

<32> Ivens, R.J., 2014, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN109465.

<33> Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society, 2011, TACS (Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society) Location Database (Gazetteer). SNN107648.

<34> Ivens R.J., 2011, An Archaeological Watching Brief at The Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN107263.

<35> CADMAN G.E., 1993, Northamptonshire Archaeology Unit Annual Fieldwork Report, p.42 (checked) (Note). SNN1722.

<36> Flitcroft M., 2003, Notes From An Inspection of a Hole in The Path Outside the South Aisle: Holy Sepulchre Church, Northampton, (checked) (Note). SNN103871.

<37> FOARD G., 1999, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50301.

<38> King's College, London, 2017, A corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland, Site 776 (Website). SNN110894.

<39> BEAMON SYLVIA P., 1992, The Royston Cave: Used by Saints or Sinners?, p.155-6 (checked) (Extract). SNN1887.

<40> TIBBS REVD. H.A., A Short History of The Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, (unchecked) (Document). SNN57645.

<41> Dawson M., 2001, A Desktop Survey of 30-40 Campbell Street, Northampton, December 2000, (unchecked) (Report). SNN102213.

<42> Walker C., 2003, Setting The Record Straight: Caroline Chisholm Nee Jones 1808-1877, The Early Years - Northampton, p.77-91 (unchecked) (Article). SNN109365.

<43> Bloxham M.H., 1878, On The Medieval Sepulchral Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.253+57 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN107097.

<44> RUDGE, 1849, Print, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN3701.

<45> Print, P56/1967 (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN3700.

<46> Print, P4/1963 (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN4478.

<47> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<48> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.44-48 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<49> SHARPE E. ET AL, 1880, The Churches of The Nene Valley, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN54576.

<50> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, 41 ff.3-5 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<51> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.117; Handwritten notes in NDC SMR File M197; (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<52> Drawings, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN56610.

<53> Anon, 2009, Holy Sepulchre (St Sepulchres) Northampton: Church History, Accessed 03-AUG-2009 (Website). SNN113696.

<54> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<55> Historic England, Undated, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, BF111670 (Archive). SNN115600.

<56> Lambeth Palace Library, Incorporated Church Building Society Archive, ICBS05640; ICBS02329a, a1, a2; ICBS02329b, b1 (Digital archive). SNN115761.

<57> Marks R., 1998, Stained Glass Of Northamptonshire, p. 156 (Book). SNN101533.

<58> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/198/254-268-277,279-304,307-341,703,704 (Archive). SNN115.

<59> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 439-441 (Book). SNN111989.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 9:55AM