Parish Church Of Holy Trinity

TL 3063-3163 ELSWORTH THE CAUSEWAY

12/46 Parish Church 31.8.62 of Holy Trinity

GV I

Parish church. Early C14 with C13 chancel arch and late medieval South porch. Roofs rebuilt in C16 and C17. Restoration 1876-7 and north aisle and part of north chancel wall rebuilt in 1891-2 by W.M. Fawcett. Limestone and pebble rubble partly rendered with limestone dressings. Lead roofs. south elevation; west tower of two stages, embattled parapet, moulded plinth band continuous around angle buttresses of three stages rising to crocketed pinnacles, projecting semi octagonal stair turret in south-east angle with pyramidal stone capping; belfry window of two ogee-trefoiled-lights with quatrefoil in head. South aisle and nave with moulded cornice. Clerestorey with four restored quatrefoil-lights, three bay buttressed south aisle with continuous band below windows raised above south doorway, two windows of three-lights with net tracery and mask stops to labels. South doorway of two continuous wave-moulded orders; south porch of two chamfered orders rising from moulded jambs with attached shafts and moulded caps, niche and sundial dated 1628 above. Chancel of three bays. 'Low side' window sealed from interior with original iron hooks and bars, four-light cinquefoil window in flat arch above and two three-light windows with net tracery, walls raised for new roof. Interior. Nave arcade of four bays with arches of two wave-moulded orders with filleted quatrefoil piers and rolls between moulded caps and bases. Tower arch of three wave-moulded orders, the inner rising from semi octagonal responds, evidence for vaulted tower ceiling. Chancel arch of two hollow-chamfered orders rising from short triple shafts on corbels with moulded caps. Double piscina with two, trefoiled arches and two drains possibly earlier and sedilia with trefoiled ogee heads; also piscina in north and south aisles. Roofs of nave aisles and chancel C16 or C17 of eight bays and five bays with plain chamfered timbers, eleven carved figures in C19 nave roof of six bays with stencilled decoration. Octagonal early C14 font with moulded base. For monuments and floor slabs see R.C.H.M. Pulpit late medieval restored. Pews in north and south aisles restored with carved poppy heads. Stalls in chancel C16 and earlier, backed by linen fold panelling. Reredos used as partition wall to vestry in north aisle; pedimented centre piece with paired Ionic columns installed by Elizabeth Holworthy c.1750 (William Cole). Communion rails C18. R.C.H.M. West Cambs p.83, mon.1 Pevsner. Buildings of England p.336 Evans, E. The Church and Village of Elsworth 1981

Listing NGR: TL3185463578