Building record 1676/1/1 - Church of St. Mary Magdalene

Parish church of Anglo-Saxon origin, with the north aisle added in the late 12th century, the south aisle in the 13th century and the chancel tower in the 14th century. The building was possibly heightened in the 15th century, other alterations were carried out at this time, these included alterations to the windows. The church was restored in the 19th century and again in 1904-6. Built of coursed limestone rubble and ashlar, with lead roofs. The church consists of a west tower and spire, aisled nave, chancel flanked by chapels, 19th century north-east vestry and south porch

{1} Parish church. Anglo-Saxon origin, late C12 north aisle, C13 south aisle, C14 chancel, tower perhaps C12, heightened C15, other C15 alterations (especially windows), restored C19 and 1904-6. Coursed limestone rubble and ashlar roofs probably of lead. West tower and spire, aisled nave, chancel flanked by chapels, C19 north-east vestry and south porch. 4-stage west tower has moulded plinth clasping buttresses quatrefoil frieze with gargoyles at angles and castellated parapet. Twin 2-light Perpendicular bell-openings with transoms. West face has moulded pointed entrance arch with C19 double doors, 2-light Perpendicular window and tiny stair-light. South face has clock face and stair lights. Recessed octagonal spire with finial and weathervane. Plain parapets with gargoyles, to nave and aisles. South aisle has buttresses and sill band and from left to right, C19 gabled porch, 3 3-light square-headed windows with cusped lights, a blocked window and a lancet. North aisle has similar windows, one of 3 lights and 3 of 2 lights, a simple pointed-arch doorway and a chimney at east end. Chancel has angle buttresses and Decorated windows, of 5 lights to east, 3 lights to south end, 2 lights to north. Clerestory windows, 3 to nave and 3 to chancel, square-headed with 3 cusped lights at south aisle. Pointed south doorway with C19 door.

{4} Church of St Mary Magdalene has C12th features in north aisle. Some suggestion of a Saxon origin. The chancel dates to 1300 and extended into the late C14th.
Description/development, documentary survey, copies of sources, plans and elevations, photographs.

{13} Limited excavation. The highly disturbed layer beneath the floor possibly dates from renovation of 1857. Beneath layer were three brick vaults with wooden coffins. The brick vaults are late, dated probably to 17th and 18th centuries though could be 19th century. No early church structures were found. Removal of some of the sandy layer around the foundation of the arch pillars revealed another burial, oriented east-west and located at the south-east corner of the easternmost pillar base. About half of the oval grave was uncovered, including the head and top left side of the body. Three limestone fragments supported the skull. The grave was a minimum of 0.14m deep. No datable finds were found in its fill.

{14} Post-medieval floors and burial vaults.

{22} A watching brief was carried out in 2009 during the excavation of a service trench connecting the north aisle to the existing sewer by the west tower. The entire route of the trench was disturbed by 19th-century grave digging and drainage works. Slight clues were noted suggesting the east end of the north aisle was rebuilt as part of the 1857 refurbishment. Minor details of the north aisle foundations were also recorded.

{23} (SP 89528302) Ch.

{24} The remains of some Saxon arcading can be seen in the nave. The church is in normal use.

{27} Notes on inscription in chancel;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 12/259 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), J12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100754.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.223-5 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.310-11 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, 42 p.7-9 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<7> Woolfenden T., 1985, The Church of St Mary Magdalene, Geddington, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN46905.

<8> Clarke G., 1850?, Geddington Church, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN104690.

<9> Buckler J.C., 1850?, Church of St Mary Magdalene, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN104691.

<10> Flesher J., 1800?, Geddington, Unchecked (Illustration). SNN104692.

<11> HARKER M.J., 1956, An abridged history of Geddington, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Booklet). SNN69965.

<12> 1985, The Church of St Mary Magdalene, Geddington, (unchecked) (Report). SNN57503.

<13> Pike A. (Editor), 1991, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (21), p.60 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN2091.

<14> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, p.120 (checked) (Article). SNN104441.

<15> Ellis P.J., 1986, The Architectural Development of Geddington Church, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN71018.

<16> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 1996-2013, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Newsletter, Issue107 p.4 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN55360.

<17> Gray, Prof M, 2017, The Good Priest of Geddington (Website). SNN110866.

<18> Malvern, J, 2017, False idol: translation mishap leads vicar to hail presence of 'saint' (Newspaper cuttings). SNN110867.

<19> Uncertain, 1990-1991, Replacement of floors in south aisle: St Mary Magdalene, 1990-1991 (Photographs). SNN110868.

<20> HARKER M.J., 1956, An abridged history of Geddington, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Booklet). SNN69965.

<21> Northamptonshire Archaeological Unit, 1990, Geddington Church Watching Brief, 1990: Archive notes (Archive). SNN111276.

<22> Ivens R J., 2009, Archaeological watching brief at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Geddington, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN106487.

<23> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<23> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<24> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 22-JUL-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<25> Historic England, [NOTES ON GEDDINGTON CHURCH], 896582 (Archive). SNN114822.

<26> Historic England, Interior view of the arches of the north aisle in the church of St Mary Magdalene, OP06348 (Archive). SNN114823.

<27> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/120/3 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 11:32AM