Church Of St Nicholas

GRAFTON THE GREEN, East Grafton SU 26 SE (east side) 5/30 Church of St. Nicholas II* Anglican parish church. 1844, by Benjamin Ferrey. Limestone ashlar and square rubble, slate roof. Norman (i.e. of Normandy) revival, said to be based on Thaon, Normandy. Nave and aisles, short chancel and apse. Tower over west end of north aisle. West door in 2 recessed orders with nook shafts. Chevrons, bowtell and twisted roll. West window over also with light chevron, and flanking intersecting blind arcade. Pair of attached shafts without top divide elevation from aisle and tower. Side elevation of 5 bays defined by broad flat pilasters connecting plinth and corbel table. Simple round-arched windows with continuous string. Clerestory similar but narrow lights with incised moulded heads. Apse also similar but alternate corbels of table are grotesques. Tower of 3 stages, open twin lights to bellstage and parapet corbel table with pronounced gargoyles. Pyramidal roof. The whole is a triumph of a normally difficult revival style, and significant in its evolution. Interior: Nave of 5 bays, varied scalloped capitals and 2 plain orders arches. Wall shafts above on corbels support bracketed ties and arch-braced principals roof. Blind chevron arch at east and west ends of nave. Chancel raised 3 steps; 2-bay barrel vault and apsidal end. Tall blind arcading between embrasures, also with nook shafts. Encaustic tiles paving. Aisles with plain arch buttresses to nave arcade. Fittings: Font, limestone arcaded bowl on square base. Inscription cast in rim of lead lining. Pulpit; oak, open intersecting arcading and iron handrail to steps. In sanctuary, marble credence table on Romanesque style column. Also Romanesque timber wall arcading remaining from choir stalls, now replaced. Organ by Bevington of London. Glass: Good apsidal windows depicting St Margaret, St Nicholas and Resurrection in centre. Aisle glass mostly of 1856. West window by Willement. Monuments: North Aisle: Limestone Gothic aedicule, 1846, to PHILIP SELFE. Nave: War memorial in black and white marbles. (Reference: Antiq. and Architect. Year Book 1844, 339-349. Builder 1844, 207.

Listing NGR: SU2574460325

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 30 October 2017.