Building record 2141/0/18 - Church of St Andrew, Great Billing

The church was built in the second half of the 12th century with additions in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The north chapel was added in the late 17th century and the tower, nave and north aisle were extensively repaired circa 1759. The church was refenestrated in the mid 19th century and the chancel and north chapel were restored by E F Law circa 1867.

{1} Chancel, nave with clerestory, aisles, north east vestry, south porch, west tower. C13 arcades with 1 late C12 pier on north. Late C13 chancel and lower stage of tower. C15 upper stage and nave clerestory. Tower parapet 1776 from Hall. Spire rebuilt. Restored 1867. Monuments: to Lord Thomoand, 1700 by John Bushnell, with effigies; to Caroline Elwes, 1812, by Flaxman; to Robert Elwes, 1852 by Weekes.

{8} The development of the church is obscure but straight joints above the central piers of the nave arcades may represent the W. corners of an early nave occupying the eastern part of the present nave. The extension of the nave to the W. can be dated by the insertion of the present central pier on the N. side which appears to be of the second half of the 12th century. This addition probably brought the nave to its present length since the two W. bays are equal but narrower than the two E. bays. The E. and W. piers were replaced in the mid 13th century. The S. arcade dates from c. 1275 but it probably replaces an earlier arcade since it respects the uneven spacing of the N. arcade. The chancel is a double square. These proportions may indicate a 13th-century or, if the tracery in the windows is at all authentic, early 14th-century date. The tower is probably also of 13th-century origin although the dimensions given in Bridges suggest that the W. wall may have been moved outwards after his time perhaps c. 1759. In the late 14th century the arches of the N. arcade, the E. responds of the nave, and the tower and chancel arches were rebuilt. The reredos in the S. aisle and the S. doorway may also belong to this period. The N. chapel was added in the late 17th century and the tower, nave and N. aisle extensively repaired c. 1759. The church was refenestrated in the mid 19th century and the chancel and N. chapel were restored by E.F.Law c.1867.

A priest is recorded in one of the Billings in 1086 but this may refer to Little Billing. Great Billing Church was certainly in existence by the mid 12th century when William Barre granted it to Delapre Abbey, Leicester, and it was included in a royal confirmatory charter of 1165. [Detailed description and outline plan.]

{9} A priest is recorded in one of the Billings in 1086, but this may refer to Little Billing. Great Billing church was certainly in existence by the mid C12th when William Barre granted it to Delapre Abbey, Leicester. It was included in a royal confirmatory charter of 1165.

{11} During restoration work to the roof of the church in 1994-5 (?) a hoard of 17th-century coins and Charles I jewellery was found in the roof space above the vestry. The finds were reportedly transferred to the Diocesan Vaults at Peterborough;

{12} The arcade is of four bays, all arches pointed and of two chamfered orders to N and S. it is carried on cylindrical piers with demi-octagonal responds at the ends. Only pier 2 and its capital, base and impost are 12thc., the remainder of the capitals and imposts date from c.1280-1310.

{13} Undated photo, probably 1990s;

Historic England, Undated, St Andrew's Church, Great Billing, BF107231 (Archive). SNN115622.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 23/550 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

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

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.406-408 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.24-25 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<5> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.72-4 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<6> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, 42 p.18v-20 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<7> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.349-50 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<8> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.67+ microfiche p.219-222 & Fig 22 (Series). SNN77383.

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

<10> Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society, 2011, TACS (Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society) Location Database (Gazetteer). SNN107648.

<11> Billing Parish Magazine, 1995, What a find! (Article). SNN111634.

<12> King's College, London, 2017, A corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland, Site 1107 (Website). SNN110894.

<13> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<14> Thorn F.; Thorn C., 1979, Domesday Book: A Survey of The Counties of England, f.227d (Series). SNN1170.

<15> Dugdale, 1846, Monasticon Anglicanum, p. 466 (Book). SNN2724.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 11:09AM