Hopper Mausoleum North-East Of Church Of St. Andrew

The Hopper Mausoleum, located north-east of the Church of St. Andrew, is a Grade I listed structure. It is believed to have been erected by Humphrey Hopper of Black Hedley in memory of his wife Jane, who died in 1752. The mausoleum is constructed from tooled ashlar and features a square plan with a forecourt to the south. It showcases an Artisan Mannerist style reminiscent of the 17th century.

The lower section includes a segmental-arched recess with a hoodmould, which holds two recumbent effigies. Above this, there is an inscribed panel dedicated to later 18th century and early 19th century family members, while a similar panel on the north side records earlier family members. The upper part is adorned with a Tuscan arcade and shell-headed niches that contain allegorical standing figures. There are twin niches on both the north and south sides, separated by paired columns. Above the entablature, an open scrolly pediment is topped with reclining figures and features the Hopper arms on the south side, a scallop shell on the north, and shields with rosettes on the sides. The mausoleum is capped with a stepped pyramidal roof that has pyramidal angle finials, supporting a square arched cupola with similar finials at the corners and on a swept pyramidal cap.

The forecourt is enclosed by a low wall with chamfered coping and four front piers, which have trefoil-headed panels and pedimented tops. The single side piers are topped with steep pyramidal finials. The forecourt also includes simple renewed cast-iron railings and a central gate.

Stylistically, it seems more likely that the mausoleum was built by the Humphrey Hopper recorded in 1663 rather than the mid-18th century Humphrey to whom it is traditionally attributed, as the inscribed panels date from the 19th century.