St Dionysius - Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire
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SMacB
N 52° 24.368 W 000° 55.244
30U E 641439 N 5808245
The medieval church here was re built in 1874 for Richard Naylor to designs by J.K. Colling which resulted in the most lavish 19th century church interiors in Northamptonshire.
Waymark Code: WM1072X
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/11/2019
Views: 0
" The medieval church here was re built in 1874 for Richard Naylor to designs by J.K. Colling which resulted in the most lavish 19th century church interiors in Northamptonshire. The architect deployed pink Aberdeen granite, alabaster, antique marbles said to have come from Rome, Cosmati ceramic floors, ceramic panels and much carving especially of plants resulting in a very rich effect. Also from this period are the altar frontal and rug by Morris and Co, and the stained glass by a variety of makers including Lavers, Barraud & Westlake and W.M. Pepper.Theres is also a later window in the south aisle, 1947 by Hugh Easton. Earlier monuments survive including those to the Hanbury family from the 17th and 19th century. The largest though is to Richard Naylor himself, again in pink granite very noticeable when you walk up to the church porch. Both the Hanburys and the Naylors lived at nearby Kelmarsh Hall."
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"Church. C14, with C19 work, by J.K. Colling. Regular coursed lias and limestone wth lead and stone slated roof. Nave, chancel, north aisle and west tower. Nave and chancel: south elevation of 6-window range, 4 to left of 2 lights with pointed heads and 2 to right of 2 lights with square heads, all restored C19. Pitched roof with coursed corbels. North elevation of chancel of one bay projection beyond north aisle. C19 three-light east window. North aisle, 4-window range of 3-light Perpendicular windows with 4-centred heads; that to left has transom with cusps. East window of north aisle of 3-lights with Carolean tracery of lozenges and circles. Lean-to roof with ashlar parapet, that to far left has Jacobean decoration with obelisk at the corner, reputed to be of 1638. Gabled porch between windows one and 2 from right. West tower, Perpendicular of 4 stages with clasping buttresses and 2-light bell chamber openings to each face of fourth stage. Ashlar broach spire with 2 stages of lucarnes. Iron railings attached to east of the chancel Interior: Chancel, c.1874 by J.K. Colling in High Victorian style with blind arcading to walls having panels of marble allegedly taken from buildings of ancient Rome. Marble floor, mosaic wall decoration by Powells, designed by Wooldridge. Nave has C19 four bay arcade of pointed arches with circular pink marble piers. C19 roofs, that in nave has large angel corbels. Stained glass: East window by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake, 2 windows at south west end of nave by William Pepper, bellfry window also has stained glass. (Frontal and alter ring by Morris and Co.). Screen in west tower arch mid C20 incorporating late C16 and early C17 panels of Netherlandish and German origin depicting the storey of Esther. Monuments: Brass to Mary Osborne died 1534, headless. In north chapel, now vestry, Sir John Hanbury died 1639; two kneeling figures facing across a prayer desk, drapery above with open pediment over. To left William Hanbury died 1768, large inscribed marble panel with strigillated sarcophagus above. To left William Hanbury died 1807 by chantry, Grecian altar with drapery and 2 interlocked wreaths. Font: High Victorian style. Also known as Church of St. Dionysius."
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