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Newnham Parish Church
Newnham Parish Church
St. Michael and All Angels Church, Newnham, Northamptonshire
The church was formerly a chapel of the parent church at Badby, both wed by the Abbey of Evesham until the Reformation. The benefice has always been 'Badby-cum-Newnham, with the vicarage at Badby and at times a resident curate at Newnham.
St. Michael and All Angels Church, Newnham - Origins
The present nave, the north aisle and chancel were built in the early 4th century, largely on the site of the 12th century chapel. In the late 4th century or early 15th century the tower was erected, the south aisle added and the east of the north aisle rebuilt with a pillar and windows in the perpendicular style. The roofs of the chancel and "have vere raised with eight clerestory windows above the arcade of arches in beams that still stand. The erection of the spire completed the medieval structure which, with the small additions of a 17th century Porch and a 19th century vestry, has remained almost unchanged.
During the 19th century many alteration were made involving the replacement, in the pseudo-decorated style, of the middle windows in both aisles and the south-west window in the, south aisle. Fresh stained glass was inserted in the east window of the chancel and in six others. The number of box pews was increased to thirty-seven; all eased to the principal householders in the village. Free benches, later replaced by the present seats, were provided in the nave.
Newnham Parish Church Interior
North
in the arcade, two early 14th century pillars with clustered shafts
12th century arch in the vestry, the only certain relic of the early chapel
old vestry pew in the north-west corner, with separate seats for officials
original 14th century decorated-style window in the North West wall, containing a few fragments of medieval glass in the centre light
at the top of the east window the renovated arms of Thomas Newenham, died 1542.
South
15th Century brass of Lctitia Catcsby, placed for safety above the 18th century pulpit; she first married John Newenham, secondly Robert Catesby of the Ashby St. Ledger family, who died in 1467; his brass disappeared in the 17th century
on south cast pillar, marks showing where three-decker pulpit stood
14th century west window, possibly removed from elsewhere in the church
main door in 15th century perpendicular style with two rows of typical floral ornaments.
Chancel
all arches, windows and stonework with sedilia and piscine, early 14th century
19th century glass in east window commemorates the union, about 1500, of the Newnham and Thornton families
memorial on north wall to Thomas Thornton and his wife; the family have been lords of the Manor since 1634, when it was bought from the heirs of the Knightley's of Fawsley by John Thornton of Brockhall.
Exterior Newnham Parish Church (including unique features)
early 17th century porch with sundial stone
sanctus bell turret at east end of nave roof
on east wall directly beneath the turret, outline of the original thatched roof which was flattened and leaded when 15th century clerestory added
15th century open arches of the tower; ropes were lowered through holes in the ringing chamber floor and the six bells rung at ground level in view of the street; (this is unique in Northamptonshire and very unusual elsewhere)
large anchor plates and tie rods inserted to strengthen the tower in the 19th century; this difficult repair is a rare and interesting example of Victorian cast iron construction
churchyard, now full, extended to include playground of former church school, now the village hall.
Click here to learn more about Newnham Church
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St. Michael and All Angels Church, Newnham, Northamptonshire
The church was formerly a chapel of the parent church at Badby, both wed by the Abbey of Evesham until the Reformation. The benefice has always been 'Badby-cum-Newnham, with the vicarage at Badby and at times a resident curate at Newnham.
St. Michael and All Angels Church, Newnham - Origins
The present nave, the north aisle and chancel were built in the early 4th century, largely on the site of the 12th century chapel. In the late 4th century or early 15th century the tower was erected, the south aisle added and the east of the north aisle rebuilt with a pillar and windows in the perpendicular style. The roofs of the chancel and "have vere raised with eight clerestory windows above the arcade of arches in beams that still stand. The erection of the spire completed the medieval structure which, with the small additions of a 17th century Porch and a 19th century vestry, has remained almost unchanged.
During the 19th century many alteration were made involving the replacement, in the pseudo-decorated style, of the middle windows in both aisles and the south-west window in the, south aisle. Fresh stained glass was inserted in the east window of the chancel and in six others. The number of box pews was increased to thirty-seven; all eased to the principal householders in the village. Free benches, later replaced by the present seats, were provided in the nave.
Newnham Parish Church Interior
North
in the arcade, two early 14th century pillars with clustered shafts
12th century arch in the vestry, the only certain relic of the early chapel
old vestry pew in the north-west corner, with separate seats for officials
original 14th century decorated-style window in the North West wall, containing a few fragments of medieval glass in the centre light
at the top of the east window the renovated arms of Thomas Newenham, died 1542.
South
15th Century brass of Lctitia Catcsby, placed for safety above the 18th century pulpit; she first married John Newenham, secondly Robert Catesby of the Ashby St. Ledger family, who died in 1467; his brass disappeared in the 17th century
on south cast pillar, marks showing where three-decker pulpit stood
14th century west window, possibly removed from elsewhere in the church
main door in 15th century perpendicular style with two rows of typical floral ornaments.
Chancel
all arches, windows and stonework with sedilia and piscine, early 14th century
19th century glass in east window commemorates the union, about 1500, of the Newnham and Thornton families
memorial on north wall to Thomas Thornton and his wife; the family have been lords of the Manor since 1634, when it was bought from the heirs of the Knightley's of Fawsley by John Thornton of Brockhall.
Exterior Newnham Parish Church (including unique features)
early 17th century porch with sundial stone
sanctus bell turret at east end of nave roof
on east wall directly beneath the turret, outline of the original thatched roof which was flattened and leaded when 15th century clerestory added
15th century open arches of the tower; ropes were lowered through holes in the ringing chamber floor and the six bells rung at ground level in view of the street; (this is unique in Northamptonshire and very unusual elsewhere)
large anchor plates and tie rods inserted to strengthen the tower in the 19th century; this difficult repair is a rare and interesting example of Victorian cast iron construction
churchyard, now full, extended to include playground of former church school, now the village hall.
Click here to learn more about Newnham Church
Back to Articles Page