Building record 4851/1/1 - Church of St Columba

The church is of 12th century origin, the nave was extended in the 13th century and further alterations were carried out in the 14th and 15th centuries. The church was restored and the south porch was added in 1871 and the north organ chamber was added in 1891. Built of limestone with ironstone quoins and bands, behind the plain parapets are lead roofs with slate to the chancel roof.

{1} Limestone with ironstone quoins and bands. Plain parapets, lead roofs, slate chancel roof. C12 origin, retaining chancel with south doorway and east pair of arches in nave. C13 west extension of nave by 2 more pairs of arches. C14 chancel window and sedilia under ogee arches. C15 nave clerestory, east window and west tower. North aisle demolished and arcade filled in 1808. Restored and south porch rebuilt 1871-3. North organ chamber added 1891. Carved C13 font. Chancel brass of 1679 and C19 wall monuments.

{8} Parish Church of St Columbia (SP 751 557).

The building appears to have originated with an un-aisled Romanesque nave of two square; its S.E. corner is still visble externally in the angle between the chancel and S. aisle. The present position of the S. doorway may mark the original door alignment. The Romanesque S. doorway of the chancel appears to be in situ thus establishing the line of the S. wall of the chancel as 12th-century. The N. wall of the chancel lies in the same relationship to the nave, so it is likely that the N. wall is also of 12th century origin. At the same time, two-bay aisle were added to the nave. The lack of N.-S. alignment between the position of the arcade piers suggests the existence of a pre-existing arcade on one side or the other. In the early 13th century the nave and aisle were lengthened one bay to the W. The chancel had achieved its present length and the aisle their present width by 1400. The tower appears to date from the 15th century, although it may incorporate an earlier structure in its lower parts. The clearstorey may be late-medieval in origin although the present, post-medieval, windows cut the wall plate. The present roof is lower than the late medieval roof, a fragment of which survives behind the E. gable. The N. aisle was removed in 1808. The whole church was extensively restored in 1871-4 and the N. vestry and organ chamber added in 1891.

Collingtree and Milton Malsor were closely connected tenurially in 1086. The priest recorded as being on Geoffrey Alsein's holding could have served a church in either vill, though Milton was clearly the caput of the estate. When the episcopal records begin it is clear that Collingtree and Milton were united and held in moiesty under lay patronage (e.g. Rot Gross, 203). [Detailed description and outline plan].

{11} The church is thought to have originated as an un-aisled Norman nave. Remnants of this first church can be seen in the blocked door and low arched recess in the south chancel wall.

{12} Photo dated 1990;

{13} Sketch and painting of font, also drawing of engraving on door jamb in chancel, other sketches, drawings, measurements, rubbings;

{14} The 12th c church of St Columba at Collingtree was largely rebuilt in the latter part of the 14th c, but some original features survive.The building was extensively restored in 1871-3, 1891 and again in 1929.

{16} [Former list description]
Church of St Columbia
SP 7555 22/406 3.5.68.
A
2.
Limestone with ironstone quoins and bands. Plain parapets, lead
roofs, slate chancel roof. C12 origin, retaining chancel with south
doorway and east pair of arches in nave. C13 west extension of nave
by 2 more pairs of arches. C14 chancel windows and sedilia under
ogee arches. C15 nave clerestory, east window and west tower. North
aisle demolished and arcade filled in 1808. Restored and south porch
rebuilt 1871-3. North organ chamber added 1891. Carved C13 font.
Chancel brass of 1679 and C19 wall tablets.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 22/406 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 (unchecked), P81 (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.351-52 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.135 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<5> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, 42 p.44-45 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<6> DRAWINGS, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN46733.

<7> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.240-242 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<8> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.234-238 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<9> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<10> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<11> Morse R., 2013, Built Heritage Assessment: Northampton South SUE, p.11 (checked) (Report). SNN109455.

<12> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<13> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/69/3-13 (Archive). SNN115.

<14> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, P. 240 (Series). SNN77382.

<15> Thorn F.; Thorn C., 1979, Domesday Book: A Survey of The Counties of England, P. 277 (Series). SNN1170.

<16> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, District of Northampton, 22/01/197,p 81 (Report). SNN112993.

<17> Undated, Externally held archive reference, Northants Record Office, Faculty 74P/37 Builders Account 74P/38 (Archive). SNN113573.

<18> Davis, F N (ed), 1914, Rot. Gross, 203 (Book). SNN116440.

<19> Historic England, Undated, St Columba's Church, Collingtree, BF107277 (Archive). SNN116441.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 11:08AM