Church Of St Germans

TF 5914 WIGGENHALL ST. GERMANS 12/26 Church of St. Germans 8.7.59

• I

Parish church. C13 west tower with C15 top, C15 nave, aisles and chancel, late C14 eastern extensions to aisles to form chancel chapels. Ashlar, carstone and brick. 3 stage tower supported by 2 western C19 flat buttresses. C19 2- light Y west window below fragment of lancet head. Lancets to 3 exposed sides of first 2 stages, that to lower south blocked. 2-light trefoiled belfry windows under 4-centred arch and stepped crenellations to parapet with carving. Corner pinnacles. South aisle with diagonal west buttresses and flat buttress augmented by 2 massive sloping brick C18 buttresses on south wall. 3 2-light windows under 4-centred arches. C16 brick south porch with diagonal buttresses and wide arch below gable. Octagonal turrets stand on shoulders of gable, crowning turret truncated. Arched 2-light side windows. 4 3-light clerestory windows with ogee lights between rising mullions under basket arches. Setback buttresses to chancel chapel and flat flanking buttress. 2 3-light Perpendicular windows south one east. 4-light restored Perpendicular east window. North chancel chapel extends to east wall : 3-light early C19 east window above door. Diagonal buttress. 3 2-light side windows similar. Continuous with north nave aisle : flat buttresses with 2 2-light windows and north door. Heavy brick repairs to west end. In third nave aisle bay a deeply undercut and scrolled external wall monument dated 1703. Interior. 4 bay arcade of quatrefoil piers with fillets between lobes on polygonal bases supporting polygonal capitals and double hollow chamfered arches. Clerestory windows over apices of arches. Tower arch has demi-octagonal responds, double chamfered arch and roll moulded and dog-tooth hood. Wave moulded chancel arch on semi-circular responds. Queen post nave roof : moulded ties on arched braces to wall posts; moulded queen posts, principals and butt purlins. Ridge piece. Gabled north aisle roof largely C19. Rood stairs entered through ogeed shouldered arch. 2 bay arcade to chancel chapels as nave but with octagonal piers. Chancel roof C19. C17 dado panelling to east wall. Pulpit 1631 : hexagonal with panels of geometric carving. Early C17 reading desk with arched panel and scrolled brackets supporting platform and 2 turned balusters to side wings. 28 nave benches of c.1500 : pierced backs of various geometric patterns with carved bench ends with poppyheads, animal or figurative arm rests and carved figures in niches to side panels. North aisle arm rests depict scenes from life of St. Germans. Font 1851. Bowl and stem of second font of C14 with tracery panels.

Listing NGR: TF5969314015