Austrey - St Nicholas
St Nicholas's is one of the most northernmost churches in the county, a group which is also sadly one of the most difficult for churchcrawling since churches in this area are generally kept locked without keyholder information. Thus I had neglected this entire sector of Warwickshire until a suitable opportunity presented itself, which happily it did in April 2013 as the Birmingham Diocese opened many of it's parish churches for a sponsored charity event. With all of this northernmost cluster of parishes taking part I had to come, though sadly as I got behind schedule through the day his church suffered most as a bit of a flying visit.
The church dates back to the 13th and 14th century, but was heavily restored in the Victorian period; in fact one of the first things one notices about St Nicholas's church on approach is how the tower's proportions have been made a mockery of by high pitch of the Victorian roof, raised by Ewan Christian during his extensive 19th century restoration without regard for the older steeple which now looks squat by comparison. Previously there had been a nearly flat roof over the nave.
The interior now seems strangely narrow with this extra height, though impressive all the same. The windows are mostly plain glazed except for a nice patchwork of original glass from c1350 in the head of a south aisle window (some good border pieces featuring lion's- heads issuing foliage along with foliate quarries and pieces of canopywork, all in the classic earthy hues of the 14th century) and a fruity early Victorian piece next to it (Christ surrounded by Evangelist emblems, 1840s, possibly by William Holland of Warwick). The large four-light east window is surprisingly left as just plain quarries, though quite attractively nonetheless, with their pale green hue subduing what could otherwise be an uncomfortable glare on a bright Sunday morning!
There is otherwise little in the way of old furnishings here, a piscina and remains of the sedilia can be seen in the chancel, but otherwise the only other medieval feature of note is the large coffin lying in front of the organ in the north aisle (it's recipient could have been over 8ft tall judging by the length!). Also in the north aisle is a fine Baroque tablet decorated with a cherub and a bat-winged skull; the epitaph commemorates three sons of Thomas Monck who all died prematurely, aged three, fourteen and twenty respectively, hence this sad memorial from their grieving parents.
The interior now seems strangely narrow with this extra height, though impressive all the same. The windows are mostly plain glazed except for a nice patchwork of original glass from c1350 in the head of a south aisle window (some good border pieces featuring lion's- heads issuing foliage along with foliate quarries and pieces of canopywork, all in the classic earthy hues of the 14th century) and a fruity early Victorian piece next to it (Christ surrounded by Evangelist emblems, 1840s, possibly by William Holland of Warwick). The large four-light east window is surprisingly left as just plain quarries, though quite attractively nonetheless, with their pale green hue subduing what could otherwise be an uncomfortable glare on a bright Sunday morning!
There is otherwise little in the way of old furnishings here, a piscina and remains of the sedilia can be seen in the chancel, but otherwise the only other medieval feature of note is the large coffin lying in front of the organ in the north aisle (it's recipient could have been over 8ft tall judging by the length!). Also in the north aisle is a fine Baroque tablet decorated with a cherub and a bat-winged skull; the epitaph commemorates three sons of Thomas Monck who all died prematurely, aged three, fourteen and twenty respectively, hence this sad memorial from their grieving parents.
I'd realised when I arrived here I was getting very short of time to catch neighbouring Newton Regis which was down to close earlier (for a wedding) so I arrived knowing I would have to do this one quickly; of course for the first time that day there were churchsitters preparing to welcome visitors, two charming ladies who I'd've been quite happy to have chatted to for far longer. They understood my rush and happily obliged with a quick version of the tour (pointing out the aforementioned huge coffin which I'd've otherwise missed) but it was a shame to be so pushed for time, particularly as I think I'd been their only visitor that day.
The church does have specific open days throughout the year (check English Heritage website for details) but otherwise the casual visitor is likely to find it locked.
Aidan McRae Thomson 2013
The church does have specific open days throughout the year (check English Heritage website for details) but otherwise the casual visitor is likely to find it locked.
Aidan McRae Thomson 2013