Building record 760/1/1 - St. Mary's Church

Church with a doorway dating to circa 1200, the building has been added to and altered throughout the Medieval period. The church was restored in 1852, 1872 and 1924-28 by Talbot Brown & Fisher. Built of coursed squared ironstone, with tile roofs. The building consists of a chancel, vestry (north side), nave, north nave chapel, south porch and west tower.

{1} The earliest feature in the church of St Mary at Farthingstone, the north doorway, is of c 1200. The church was added to and altered throughout the medieval period.

{6} Church. Late C13, restored 1852, 1872; and 1924-28 by Talbot Brown & Fisher. Coursed squared ironstone, tile roofs. Chancel, vestry (north side), nave, north nave chapel, south porch, west tower. East window has 3 lights, intersecting tracery and hood-mould with label stops. On north side of chancel C19 vestry flanked by simple 2-light geometrical windows. To south a 3-light window with intersecting tracery, and hood mould with label stops, pointed arch priests door, and single lancet window with hood-mould to left. On north side of nave at east end a 2-bay chapel with lean-to roof, and 2-light leaded windows with hood-moulds to north and east. A single lancet to west. C19 stone extension with plank door in pointed arch with hood-mould. Arched door in middle of north side of nave. South side of nave has a 3-light window left of porch, a two-light window to far left, both Perpendicular, a 3-light window, to right of porch, and all with hood-moulds. 3 2-light clerestory windows in rectangular splayed frames above porch. South porch has 4-centred moulded arch , gable and plain parapet. 4-centred moulded arch south door within. Nave has chamfered plinth, a plain coped parapet with pinnacles to south-west and north-west corners. West tower has 3 stages, a pointed arch south door, a west window, strings at floor level, and small rectangular windows to middle stage on north and south sides. Belfry stage has 2-light traceried window; crenellated parapet and corner pinnacles. Interior: chancel has 2-seat sedilia and piscina, C19 encaustic-tiled floor to sanctuary and choir, a C19 stone reredos and timber barrel-vault roof of 1924. Renewed chancel arch. North nave chapel has ovolo and hollow-chamfered arch to nave with octagonal pillar to west and corbel respond to east; small bracket to right of east window with leaf carving. Renewed Queen-post roof to nave. Fine set of mid C19 pews with carved poppyheads to nave and chancel. C19 stained glass east window, other C20 stained glass. Early C19 chamber organ in north have chapel, painted Royal Arms of George IV in tower. Early C18, early and late C19 wall monuments; plain octagonal tub font.

{8} Undated photo.

{11} A medieval roundel is in the westernmost window in the chancel north wall.

{12} Drawings of tiles found in east wall of church, now at the Rectory;

<1> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.213 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.63 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<3> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.374-75 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

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

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

<6> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 14/65 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<7> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F05 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Farthingstone (Photographs). SNN111721.

<9> Historic England, Undated, St Mary the Virgin's Church, Farthingstone, BF107313 (Archive). SNN115778.

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

<11> Marks R., 1998, Stained Glass Of Northamptonshire, p. 63 (Book). SNN101533.

<12> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/110/1 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 3:57PM