Church Of All Saints

HOUGHTON CONQUEST

TL 0441 THE GROVE

11/51 Church of All Saints

23.1.61 I

Parish Church. Earlier and late C14, C15 with some 1870 work, particularly to chancel, by Sir G.G.Scott. Coursed ironstone rubble with ashlar dressings, mostly of Totternhoe stone. Clay tile roofs. Chancel, N vestry, nave, N and S aisles, S porch, W tower. Embattled parapets throughout. Chancel: late C14, reworked 1870. Large C19 5-light E-window with 4-centred head. N and S elevations each have 2 similar windows of 3-lights. Pointed-arched S doorway under square head. S elevation has external canopied tomb to Thomas Awdley, d.1531. N doorway gives onto N vestry, originally 2-storeyed, with flat- headed windows to E. C14 chancel arch. Nave: earlier C14, heightened C15 by addition of clerestory. 4-bay arcades to both sides. 4 clerestory windows per side, each of 3-lights under 4-centred head. N aisle: C14, heightened C15. Pointed-arched 3-light windows, mostly with C19 tracery, 3 to N elevation, one each to W and E. Pointed-arched N doorway. S aisle: C14, heightened C15. Similar fenestration to N aisle but no E window. Pointed- arched S doorway. S porch: reworked C19. 3-light 4-centred arched windows to W and E. Pointed archway. W tower: 1393. 3 stages, with angle buttresses to W, those to SW clasping an octagonal stair turret. Bell-stage has 2-light pointed-arched window to each side. W elevation ground stage has pointed-arched doorway surmounted by 3-light pointed-arched window. Interior: nave and aisles retain C15 moulded roofs, with remains of painting to E end of nave and S aisle, and lead stars (originally gilded) to E end of nave. Chancel has hammerbeam roof by Scott. Nave and aisle pewing retains some C15 panelling. C15 chancel pewing has unusual poppyheads, with angels, dragons, grotesques and dogs. Fragments of medieval glass reset in various windows, those in chancel including black bulls' heads and dolphins, those in aisles showing variety of heraldic shields. Late C14 octagonal font, one side plain (originally set against pillar), others with carved crocketed canopies. Nave and aisles retain some patches of C15 wall paintings, including St Christopher above N aisle door, and above chancel arch Christ sitting in judgement with emblems of crucifixion. Also later texts in black and white. Chancel has tomb chest with brasses to John Conquest, his wife Isabel (d.1493) and son Richard, and smaller brasses of 9 sons, 5 daughters and the evangelist symbols. Smaller brass in chancel floor to Richard Conquest, d.1500, and his wife Elizabeth. To N chancel wall is monument to Thomas Archer, Rector, d.1629, in form of polychrome preaching figure in niche.

Listing NGR: TL0435741425