We use cookies to improve your experience, some are essential for the operation of this site.

All Saints, Pytchley, Northamptonshire

Location
(52°21′52″N, 0°44′18″W)
Pytchley
SP 860 748
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Northamptonshire
now Northamptonshire
  • Ron Baxter

Please use this link to cite this page - https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/view-item?i=10036.

Find out how to cite the CRSBI website here.

Feature Sets
Description

Pytchley is a village in central Northamptonshire, 2 miles S of Kettering in undulating farmland. The village clusters round a crossing of minor roads with the church in the centre. All Saints' has a four-bay aisled nave with clerestoreys. The S arcade is all of the late 13thc., with pointed arches, quatrefoil piers and foliage capitals. The first two bays of the N arcade are similar in date, but bays 3 and 4 are 12thc. The N aisle has been widened, and has a small chapel or deep niche in its N wall. The 13thc. S doorway is under a porch. The chancel is broad and appears mostly 19thc., but the date 1755 inscribed on a buttress at the SE corner suggests that the E end is an earlier rebuild. There is a blocked 13thc. door in the N wall and 14thc. sedilia. The W tower was originally of three storeys, and of the late-12thc.-13thc. It was unbuttressed and of rubble with ironstone quoins. A clasping buttress was added at the SW angle, and iron clamps have been installed around the lower parts. The top storey had triple bell-openings, but these were blocked and a Perpendicular ashlar storey was added, with double bell-openings and a parapet with finials. The church was extensively restored in 1843 (chancel arch and E wall of the N aisle rebuilt) and 1861 (chancel renewed). The only Romanesque sculpture is in the N nave arcade.

History

In 1086 Azo had two holdings from Peterborough Abbey, totalling 6 hides and 3 virgates. Three virgates were held by Fulcher from the Count of Mortain, and 2 virgates by William. No church was recorded in any of these holdings. Peterborough Abbey and Launde Priory were in dispute over Pytchley church in 1185-87 about the right to a pension. Pytchley church was listed among Peterborough Abbey's possessions in 1227.

Features

Interior Features

Arcades

Nave
Comments/Opinions

Similar capitals with running scrolls and green men at the angles appear at Isham and Aldwincle.

Bibliography
RCHME Report, uncatalogued.
Victoria County History: Northamptonshire, IV (1937), 211-12.
J. Bridges, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (Compiled from the manuscript collections of the late learned antiquary J.Bridges, Esq., by the Rev. Peter Whalley). Oxford 1791, II, 124-25.
N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, Harmondsworth 1961, rev. B. Cherry 1973, 379-80.