Building record 1119/1/1 - Church of St. Denys, Ravensthorpe

Also known as Church of St. Dionysius. Church. 13th and 19th centuries. Squared coursed and regular coursed lias with lead and plain-tile roof. Aisled nave, chancel and west tower.

{1} Late Saxon find of a circular pre-Norman font. It was found at the east end of the south aisle, broken in half, but now restored.

{2} Also known as Church of St. Dionysius. Church. C13 and C19. Squared coursed and regular coursed lias with lead and plain-tile roof. Aisled nave, chancel and west tower. Chancel: C19, south elevation of 2-window range of traceried lancet windows. South door between. North elevation, similar, of one-window range. 3-light east window has roundel with cusping. Gabled roof with ashlar cornice, gable parapets and finial. South aisle of 2-window range of 3-light windows; that to left has a square head and that to right has Perpendicular style tracery. Similar 3-light east window. All have some C19 and C20 tracery. 2-light west window with ogee head. Lean-to roof with ashlar gable parapets. South porch, to left, is C19 with double-chamfered outer door opening and Decorated inner door openings. Gabled roof with ashlar gable parapets. North aisle of 2-window range of 3-light windows under segmental arches; similar east window and 2-light west window. North door to far right also under segmental arch. Lean-to roof with ashlar gable parapets. The north aisle projects half a bay alongside the chancel. Nave clerestory of 3-window range of 2-light windows; that to south has segmental arches and 2 to north have square heads with arched lights. West tower, C13 restored c.1810, of 4 stages with angle buttresses at the west corners. 2-light west window at ground level. Double lancet bell-chamber openings with attached shafts in upper stage. The upper stage is subdivided by a string course at the springing of the window openings. Castellated parapet probably C14. Tablet reset in north wall of chancel commemorates John Adams died 1698 and his wife died 1737, and has cherub at head. Interior: Double-chamfered chancel arch. Nave arcade, C13, of 3-bays of double-chamfered arches on octagonal piers. Triple-chamfered tower arch. Tomb recess in south aisle. Jacobean pulpit. Parts of the screen are Perpendicular. Parish chest has iron banding.

{3} On the east wall of the chapel now used as a vestry, hang seven fragments of armour. The local tradition is that these pieces were found at Naseby, after the great battle there in 1645. This may well be true as the distance from Ravensthorpe to Naseby Battle Field is only seven miles. The interesting of these relics is the defence of the left arm, the portion now remaining being in good condition.

{6} Undated photo.

{7} The form of spelling the dedication in use by the church authorities is "St Denys".

{10} Sketches, drawings and measurements;

<1> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<2> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 11/46 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<3> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G03 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<4> Unknown, Armour and Arms in Churches, (unchecked) (Article). SNN103374.

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

<6> Photographs of buildings in Ravensthorpe (Photographs). SNN113026.

<7> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 17-MAR-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

<8> TRAYLEN H.T., Broadsides, (unchecked) (Series). SNN46769.

<9> Historic England, Undated, St Denys Church, Ravensthorpe, BF107395 (Archive). SNN115816.

<10> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/227/1-5 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 2:16PM