Building record 2686/1/1 - Church of St. Mary Magdalene

13th century, tower remodelled 18th century, aisles removed 1782 restored 1892. Squared coursed limestone parts banded with ashlar and with ashlar dressings. Lead and Collyweston slate roof. Originally aisled nave and chancel with west tower, nave is now without aisles.

{1} Church. C13, tower remodelled C18, aisles removed 1782 restored 1892. Squared coursed limestone parts banded with ashlar and with ashlar dressings. Lead and Collyweston slate roof. Originally aisled nave and chancel with west tower, nave is now without aisles. South elevation of south chapel is of 2-window range of one- and 2-light square-head windows. Shallow lean-to roof with lead covering, and ashlar gable parapets. West elevation has outline of blocked archway. East elevation is blank. 3-light east window of chancel has 4-centred arch-head and hollow reveals. North elevation of north chapel, now vestry, is a 2-window range with a 2-light square-head window, to right, and lancet window to left; both restored C19. Similar roof as south chapel, with moulded rafter feet. East and west elevations are blank. South elevation of nave is of 3-bays with evidence of the C13 arcade to the former south aisle, now demolished. 2 windows in flanking bays have double-chamfered heads, formerly the heads of the arcades. Central C18 south doorway, now blocked has plain arch-head and ashlar surround with keyblock. Plinth above window heads marks line of former roof abutment. Steeply gabled roof with ashlar gable parapet and finial and exposed ends of tie beams, at eaves. North elevation of nave is all similar to the south elevation. Central C18 north doorway with a C19 ribbed door. West tower of 2 uneven stages with plinth. Unbuttressed with irregular ashlar quoins. 2-light west window has lain circles at head and roll mouldings. Slit window above. 2-light bell-chamber openings to each face of upper stage, have square-heads, arch-head lights and roll mouldings. Plain ashlar parapet and set back pyramid roof with weathervane. Interior: C13 three-bay nave arches of double chamfered arches, now all blocked, have circular piers and semi-circular responds. 3 capitals on north side have nail head decoration. Roof structure in nave is probably late C18 with king post trusses. C19 roof structure in chancel and chapels. C19 octagonal font. C19 and C20 furnishings. Fielded panelled vestibule over south doorway. C20 stained glass to east window of chancel. Monuments: various C17 and C18 inscribed floor slabs throughout, one in vestry has a brass plaque with coat of arms. Humphrey Bellamy, d.1715, chest tomb in vestry with fielded panelled sides and black slab with inscription and armorial device. Medieval gargoyle in south chapel. Hatchment in belfry. The chancel was thatched until 1892. The removal of the aisles in 1782 was carried out by a Mr. Sanderson as they had fallen into disrepair. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire: p472; RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p171)

{4} Church of St Mary Magdalene, Yarwell. C13th-C18th, recorded as `worthy of preservation' in 1984.

{7} Undated photo;

{10} [Former list description] The stone church with stone slate roofs, consists of chancel with aisles of 2 bays, nave, and W. tower.
The arcades of the chancel aisles and the chancel arch are Transitional. The 3-light east window is Perpendicular.
The nave formerly had aisles which were pulled down in 1789 and the Transitional arcades of 3 bays remain in the walls. The lower part of the tower is Saxon, the top stages with plain parapet Transitional.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 15/232 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

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

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 171-176 (Series). SNN77384.

<5> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<6> Lee M., 2004, Henry Penn, Bellfounder, 1685-1729, p.41-53 (unchecked) (Article). SNN109357.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Yarwell (Photographs). SNN114368.

<8> Historic England, St Mary Magdalenes Church, Yarwell, BF107453 (Archive). SNN115195.

<9> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East) (Archive). SNN113295.

<10> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE (HHR) Dist of Oundle & Thrapston, Northants. April 1963 153 (Report). SNN112993.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 11:43AM