St Mary's Church, Nettlestead
Encyclopedia
The nave
was built about 1438. The north and south elevations are similar; each divided by tall buttress
es into three bays containing large stone-framed windows with curved tops divided into three vertical divisions. The western bay of the south side also contains a porch dated to about 1496. The north side is extended against the tower to enclose a stair turret built in the 19th century. a moulded plinth runs along the base of both façades.
The chancel
was built about 1460. It is narrower and set inward from each side of the nave and has lower eaves
. The plinth continues and the eastern corners are diagonally buttressed. A single small pointed window with two lights is located at the west end of the north and south sides of the chancel and a pointed three light window in the east end.
Internally, the roof of the chancel has a boarded ceiling with rafters decorated with bosses
. The roof of the nave is plastered. A 15th century tracery screen from Teston church is located at the base of the tower. The church contains wall monuments to Elizabeth Scott (died 1598) and Katharine Scott (died 1616), both featuring kneeling female figures.
The stained glass
in the church windows includes panels in the central window on the north side of the nave which were paid for by John or Reginald Pympe of the neighbouring Nettlestead Place
in 1438. The north chancel window possibly dates from the 1460s and angels holding heraldic shields in the top lights of many of the windows are also 15th century. Other windows are Victorian
or Edwardian in 15th century style.
The church lychgate
contains a memorial to casualties of both Word Wars and the churchyard contains three chest tomb memorials which are Grade II listed.
and Roman Catholic congregations, with the Catholic Mass held before the Anglican service on Sundays.
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
was built about 1438. The north and south elevations are similar; each divided by tall buttress
Buttress
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall...
es into three bays containing large stone-framed windows with curved tops divided into three vertical divisions. The western bay of the south side also contains a porch dated to about 1496. The north side is extended against the tower to enclose a stair turret built in the 19th century. a moulded plinth runs along the base of both façades.
The chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
was built about 1460. It is narrower and set inward from each side of the nave and has lower eaves
Eaves
The eaves of a roof are its lower edges. They usually project beyond the walls of the building to carry rain water away.-Etymology:"Eaves" is derived from Old English and is both the singular and plural form of the word.- Function :...
. The plinth continues and the eastern corners are diagonally buttressed. A single small pointed window with two lights is located at the west end of the north and south sides of the chancel and a pointed three light window in the east end.
Internally, the roof of the chancel has a boarded ceiling with rafters decorated with bosses
Boss (architecture)
In architecture, a boss is a knob or protrusion of stone or wood.Bosses can often be found in the ceilings of buildings, particularly at the intersection of a vault. In Gothic architecture, such roof bosses are often intricately carved with foliage, heraldic devices or other decorations...
. The roof of the nave is plastered. A 15th century tracery screen from Teston church is located at the base of the tower. The church contains wall monuments to Elizabeth Scott (died 1598) and Katharine Scott (died 1616), both featuring kneeling female figures.
The stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
in the church windows includes panels in the central window on the north side of the nave which were paid for by John or Reginald Pympe of the neighbouring Nettlestead Place
Nettlestead Place
Nettlestead Place is a country house in Nettlestead, Kent, England. The house and its gatehouse are each separately Grade I listed buildings.-Buildings:...
in 1438. The north chancel window possibly dates from the 1460s and angels holding heraldic shields in the top lights of many of the windows are also 15th century. Other windows are Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
or Edwardian in 15th century style.
The church lychgate
Lychgate
A lychgate, also spelled lichgate, lycugate, or as two separate words lych gate, is a gateway covered with a roof found at the entrance to a traditional English or English-style churchyard.-Name:...
contains a memorial to casualties of both Word Wars and the churchyard contains three chest tomb memorials which are Grade II listed.
Use
The church is used by both Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
and Roman Catholic congregations, with the Catholic Mass held before the Anglican service on Sundays.
External links
- Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi, Nettlestead: St Mary Images of the stained glass windows