Church Of St Nicholas

TL 76 SE LITTLE SAXHAM CHEVINGTON ROAD

5/118 CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS 14.7.55

• I

Church; mediaeval. Nave, chancel, south porch, north aisle, north chapel, west tower. Flint rubble walling with limestone dressings; low-pitched leaded roofs (porch roof plaintiled). Round tower C11 or C12 with shafted belfry openings on 4 sides; 2 blank arches between each opening forming continuous arcade; billet-moulded cornice below; first floor tower slit windows with semi circular heads; lower west window with chevron ornament. C14 crenellated parapet and 4 gargoyles. Other C11 or C12 work: south doorway with shafts having volute capitals, roll-moulded arch and plain tympanum; niche in west nave wall, probably reset C14 - from north doorway; tall narrow tower arch with chamfered impost; doorway to tower chamber from nave. North aisle mid C14; 2 traceried windows, simple north doorway, chamfered arcade with clerestory windows above, low-pitched tie-beam roof with ovolo mouldings and massive arch-braces having soffit-cusping. South porch mid-C14 with 2 square-headed windows and arched doorway having pilasters with bell-spread base, holy water stoup beside doorway; parapet gable has inset sundial and grotesque finial ; C19 scissor- braced coupled rafter roof. C14 north chancel door. Nave roof C14, of principal rafter type (restored C19) with crenellated parapets and gargoyle on south side. Cambered tie-beam chancel roof, C19. Chancel arch C15 with pilasters. Early C16 alterations: north chapel with large 5-light window; 3- light windows in south nave and chancel walls (all restored C19). Doorway and steps to rood-loft, and piscina for side chapel in north aisle. Simple C15 piscina in south wall of sanctuary. C15 octagonal font with C17 oak pyramid cover having acorn finial. 2 sections from the C15 buttressed and arcaded rood screen lying in nave and aisle. Mid C18 oak altar rail reset from Little Livermere Church. Octagonal pulpit, early C17 with arcaded panels, canopy and back; restored 1891. Poppy head benches in nave with carved animals and birds on poppy heads and buttresses; one bench has traceried ends and angel buttresses. Oak eagle lectern 1893. Stained glass in east chancel window dated 1899; in south window 1901. In the chancel the cenotaph of Thomas Fitzlucas of Little Saxham Hall, died 1531; square frame with arched head, inset escutcheons and flanking pilasters. In the chapel the baroque tomb of William, Baron Crofts (died 1677) by Abraham Storey, a mural monument to Elizabeth, Lady Crofts (died 1642) by Henry Bowden.

Listing NGR: TL7992663714