Monument record 1160/18 - St Edmund's Church (Medieval)

Note also 1160/485 the site of the Victorian St Edmund's Church. The Church of St Edmund lay in Abington Square, it was first mentioned in late C12th and had fallen out of use by the mid 16th century. Although remains of the church itself have not yet been identified, parts of the graveyard have during early 20th and 21st century development. Stone from the church was re-used for the construction of houses. The church may be located beneath the current Unitarian Church.

{1} Church of St Edmund lay in Abington Square in angle between Wellingborough and Kettering Roads; first mentioned in late C12th; C15th church annexed to rectory of St Michael with same incumbent; separate incumbents however mentioned in 1535; by mid C16th fallen out of use and regarded as part of St Giles' parish.

{2} C15th church annexed to rectory of St Michael with same incumbent.

{3} Separate incumbents recorded in 1535.

{4} St Edmund's Church is first mentioned by name in late C12th.

{5} Knight Sir Richard Gobion settled Friars in first instance outside the East Gate of town on his own hereditary estate on site near church of St Edmund.

{6} Lee mentions St Edmund's church location as "….in ye corner close between ye two roads out ye east gate ye one on ye left-hand to Kettering and ye right hand leading to Wellingborough….".

{7} St Edmunds Church given to St Andrew's Priory by Simon de St Liz; "….of which no traces are to be found to this day….".

{8} Beyond East Gate stood St Edmund's Church situated between roads leading to Kettering and Wellingborough; one of churches confirmed to St Andrew's Priory by Bishop of Lincoln Hugh Wells; at beginning of C15th church was annexed to rectory of St Michael; site and churchyard is now a cherry orchard.

{9} Single dedication to Dame Elizabeth Saxby in 1503.

{10} By mid C16th fallen out of use and regarded as part of St Giles' parish.

{11} No additional material.

{12} Excavation of test pits prior to redevelopment of the site, revealed Victorian cellars with reused church limestone blocks for wall construction.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.379 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.449 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<3> Valor Ecclesiasticus, p.316 (unchecked) (Document). SNN499.

<4> Dugdale, 1823, Monasticon Anglicanum, p.191 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN479.

<5> SERJEANTSON R.M., 1911, History of the Church of St Giles, Northampton, p.266 (unchecked) (Book). SNN2827.

<6> Lee H., 1931, A History of Northampton, p.67-76 (unchecked) (Article). SNN42839.

<7> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.117; Handwritten notes in NDC SMR File M199; (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<8> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.53 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<9> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.161 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M199; (Extract). SNN1080.

<10> E134 40/41 ELIZ., E134 40/41 ELIZ. (unchecked) (Document). SNN48803.

<11> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M199 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<12> Phillips, D, 2024, Archaeological Report: St Edmunds Cemetery Excavation, Orient House, Northampton (Draft) (Report). SNN116749.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:52PM