Parish Church Of St Mary Magdalene

TL 06NW MELCHBOURNE AND YIELDEN MELCHBOURNE, PARK ROAD

1/93 Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene 13.7.64

GV I

Parish Church. Substantially remodelled in late C18. Said to have been commissioned in 1779 by Samuel Whitbread, father-in-law of 12th Lord St John of Bletsoe. Medieval and C17 elements visible externally. Coursed limestone rubble, ashlar dressings. Chancel, nave, south aisle, north aisle, north porch, west tower. Chancel and nave heightened 1779. All windows to chancel and aisles plain, round-headed with unmoulded architraves. Chancel has windows to N wall only, with blocked windows, some C14, visible in exterior south wall. Round-headed chancel arch. Coved ceiling and 4-bay arcades of Tuscan columns to nave. Blocked C14 window to W wall of north aisle. Early C17 north porch, reputedly from Woodford House, Northants (Pevsner, p124). Round- headed archway with carved shield to keystone, flanked by Roman Doric columns on square plinths. Triglyph and metope frieze. Oculus in each side wall. Perpendicular tower with later parapet. C18 3-centred west doorway with keystone. 1377 brass inscription in south aisle. Complete 1779 box pews and panelling. C19 and C20 memorials to the St John family.

Listing NGR: TL0286465393