Parish Church Of St Mary And St Helena

TL 0447 ELSTOW CHURCH END

8/60 Parish Church of St Mary and St Helena 13.7.64 GV I

Parish church, formerly part of Abbey church belonging to Benedictine nunnery founded c.1078 by Countess Judith of Huntingdon (niece of William I). Early C12, C13, C15 and late C16. Extensively reworked 1881 by T. J. Jackson of Bedford. Coursed rubble with ashlar dressings. Nave and aisles (also serving as a chancel and chapels) and S vestry. 5 bay nave and aisles: these are nave and aisles of Abbey church, E end being blocking wall dating from Dissolution inserted in last bay before crossing (springing of arcades Eastwards still visible). 3 bays to E have plain early C12 arcades with semi-circular arches on rectangular piers with square moulded abaci. 2 bays to W have early C13 arcades with pointed arches, the NE one with dog-tooth decoration. Clerestory, rebuilt 1881, has 6 windows each side, 3 to E round-headed, 3 to W pointed-arched. All E windows are 1881 reworking. 1881 3-light pointed- arched windows to aisles. 1881 Norman style N doorway, surmounted by c.l120 panel showing Christ flanked by Sts Peter and John, framed by columns supporting round-headed arch. S aisle has C15 doorway above which is 2-light square-headed window. W elevation dates from early C13. Pointed-arched central doorway, surmounted by C15 square label. Above this is C16 4-light window with square head. Doorway to L (N aisle) also pointed-arched, with original lancet above. Stair turret to SW angle. S vestry: originally the early C13 outer parlour. Square room with central octagonal pier, carrying unusual 4-bay rib vault, some ribs breaking through into adjoining bay. Interior: C15 octagonal font in N aisle, with traceried panels and one plain side. Brasses include one to Margery Argentine, d.1427, and one to Elizabeth Herwy, Abbess of Elstow, d.l527. Monuments include: one of alabaster in E wall with kneeling figures of Humphrey Radcliffe (d.1566) and his wife Isabel Harvey, facing each other and flanked by doric columns; one of marble to Thomas Hillersdon, d.1656, in S aisle wall; another, also in S aisle, to John Hillersdon, d.1684.

Listing NGR: TL0490747396