Old Church Of St Mary

SP 9433-9533 WOBURN BEDFORD STREET 8/100 23.1.61 Old Church of St Mary GV II* Former mortuary chapel, now redundant, incorporating remains of medieval parish church. Late medieval origins, tower reworked 1830 by Edward Blore. Remainder of church demolished and mortuary, chapel constructed 1865-8 for William 8th Duke of Bedford. At least some of this later work by Henry Clutton (Bedfordshire Record Office: R5/917 General Account: Cash Book 1867- 68). Coursed ironstone with ashlar dressings. Leaded roofs. Tower to N, linked by low block on S side to mortuary chapel, forming an L-plan. Perpendicular style, with variety of tracery to windows. Tower: 4 stages, each one set back slightly from the one below it. Ground stage stonework is all that remains of medieval fabric. Diagonal buttresses surmounted by tall crocketed pinnacles. Embattled parapet. Ground stage has C19 segmental arches to W and E, thus forming entrance porch to building. 2nd stage has single light to W elevation. Bell-stage has pointed-arched 2-light louvred openings to each side. Tower is surmounted by octagonal pierced stone lantern, with small flying buttresses, crocketed pinnacles, and crocketed concave conical roof. Link block has plain parapet and 3-light square-headed mullioned windows to W and E. Chapel: Simple 3-bay structure. 3-light 4- centred-arched windows to N and S elevations. W end has 2 2-light windows and quatrefoil to attic level. 5-light E window. Plain parapet. Interior: 3- bay oak roof with moulded timbers. Carved stone corbels showing variety of heads. N wall has marble monument (from earlier church) to Sir Francis Staunton and wife Elizabeth (d.1630), with 2 relief panels showing husband, wife and children kneeling either side of prayer desk. Monument is surmounted by broken pediment and cartouche. E window stained glass includes Bedford family arms surrounded by the Garter and surmounted by a coronet, and figures of the Evangelists and Moses and Aaron.

Listing NGR: SP9486633246