Church Of St Andrew

TM 27 NW, 5/152

WINGFIELD, CHURCH ROAD, Church of St. Andrew

29.07.55

GV

I

Parish church. Rebuilt in the period mid C14-early C15 following the founding of Wingfield College by the will of Sir John de Wingfield in 1362. Restored mid C19. Nave, chancel, north and south aisles, west tower, south porch. Flint rubble with stone dressings. Nave and chancel roofs plaintiled, aisle roofs leaded. C14 3-stage square tower with 2-light belfry openings and crenellated brick parapet. South nave aisle has four 2-light windows and a 3- light window to the west, all with original Decorated-style tracery and shafted internally. Late C14 porch; moulded nave doorway, the carved stops possibly representing Sir John and Lady Wingfield. 3-bay Lady Chapel to south of chancel added c.1430: C19 windows in Perpendicular style but to the east a good late C14 3-light window. All the windows are shafted internally. 3-bay north nave aisle with windows in Perpendicular style. The north chancel aisle comprises the Chapel of the Holy Trinity (now the vestry) and the Chapel of St. Margaret (now the organ chamber): various windows with a good late C14 3-light east window. Nave clerestory in five bays, with 3-light windows. The chancel has seven closely-spaced 3-light clerestory windows and a good early C15 5-light east window.

INTERIOR: medieval nave roof with carved angels at the foot of the principals. The other roofs all much renewed in C19. 5-bay arcades between nave and aisles. The Chapel of St. Margaret is open to the chancel by a single enriched arch. To the north a fine canopied doorway leads into the Chapel of the Holy Trinity (the former Wingfield chantry chapel) which has an upper chamber with medieval screen and original paintwork to ceilings. The Lady Chapel has a lavishly decorated 3-bay arcade. Furnishings include early C15 carved font; good C15 stalls with misericords; dado of medieval rood screen with traceried panels; two C15 parclose screens complete with coving. Three notable monuments. Sir John de Wingfield (1361), recessed in north chancel wall: stone effigy on tomb chest, with an enriched ogee canopy above. Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk (1375) and Katherine his wife, at east end of Lady Chapel: very fine wooden effigies on a tomb chest around which are 13 canopied niches and (to the chancel) a triple sedilia. John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (1491) and Elizabeth his wife, against north chancel wall: very fine alabaster effigies on a tomb chest with a canopy and cresting above.

For further details see Wingfield Church History & Guide (1984) and Pevsner.

Listing NGR: TM2300476812