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Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham

The church comprises an aisled nave, chancel with north aisle, west tower and south porch. The core of the church is 13th century Early English, of which the two nave arcades and chancel arch are the most prominent legacy, with 15th century tower and clerestory in Perpendicular style. The east window is also of this period, as are both nave and chancel roofs. The exterior of the church is almost uniformly Perpendicular in style with most of the windows having been rebuilt at that time.

Interior features to note are the slight difference in the capitals of the two arcades - those of the north arcade have nail-head decoration while the south are plain - and the offset tower arch due to the tower not being centrally aligned to the nave. The unusual spacing of the clerestory windows is more apparent from inside - there are 3 on the north side, 1 per bay, but 4 on the south side, not matching the arcade bays.

The oldest of the interior fittings is the remains of the chancel screen, thought to be 15th century work. The upper part of the screen was dismantled in the 1930s, as it was considered unsafe, but was used to screen off the vestry area in the north chancel aisle. The plain octagonal font is from the Restoration period, dated 1663. The initials inscribed with the date may represent the churchwardens of the time. There are 3 pews of similar late 17th century date at the left rear of the nave, the remainder being late 19th century copies. The pulpit is also late 17th century. The eagle lectern was carved in the 1930s by Dr. Beale, the then current incumbent, who was clearly an accomplished worker in wood. He was also responsible for the wooden lych gate Link.

The tower contains a ring of 3 bells. The clock face is described as 'ancient' in the church guide, although the movement is modern.

Probably the most spectacular interior item is the Williamson monument in the north chancel aisle. The Williamsons were a prominent Nottinghamshire family, and were able to call on one of the finest sculptors of the day, Edward Marshall, who later became master mason to Charles II. The monument dates from 1639 and is carved largely from alabaster, with dark marble insertions. It is in Italianate Renaissance style and depicts Francis Williamson and his wife kneeling on either side of an altar. Below, their three sons are shown, all kneeling facing right, each in a different style of dress. The whole is surmounted by a large draped cartouche containing the family coat of arms. The altar is inscribed with a suitably moralistic verse.

The church is Listed Grade I.
by Alan Murray-Rust

Created: Tue, 11 Nov 2014, Updated: Wed, 26 Aug 2015


13 images use this description:

SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : West window, St Mary Magdalene church, Walkeringham by Julian P Guffogg
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Bench mark, St Mary Magdalene Church, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Walkeringham churchyard by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust
SK7792 : Church of St Mary Magdalene, Walkeringham by Alan Murray-Rust


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