Details
SP53NE FARTHINGHOE STEANE
6/97 CHAPEL OF ST PETER
04/02/69 at Steane Park
- I
Chapel. Datestone 1620. Incorporating C14 and C15 details. Limestone and
ironstone ashlar. Nave with north aisle and north chapel. Symmetrical 3-bay
west front. Central doorway has 4-centred arch and spandrels carved with
foliage. Inscription on lintel, "Holiness Becometh the Howse O Lord forever".
C17 ribbed and studded plank door, 5-light C14 window with reticulated tracery
(re-used) above doorway, C17 mullioned windows of 4 arched lights and square
hood on each side. Moulded parapet ornamented with obelisks. Plaque with
"Built by T.C.1620" in centre. Sundial above south west buttress, framed by
swags and cornucopiae. Beneath it a cherub's head and garlands of fruit.
Doorway in left bay, south side with engaged Ionic columns, bolection moulded
entablature, and open segmental pediment. Arms of Crewe and Bray families in
spandrels. 8-panelled, studded door. Re-used C15 window to right, 3 lights
with panel tracery and square hood. Similar window centre. East wall,
flanked by C17 3-light windows with square hoods. North wall is blank. Offset
corner buttresses are re-used C14-C15 work. Interior: Central arcade, 2 bays
with quatrefoil pier and moulded arches. Flat arched roof, beam dated 1665 at
east end nave. Fittings: Font, bowl with lugs on, fragment of C14-
C15 moulded column. Stained glass coat of arms, east window north chapel.
Early C18 box pews, rectangular panelled pulpit, and altar rails with twisted
balusters. Marble altar table inscribed as gift of Nathanial, Lord Crewe,
Bishop of Durham, 1720. North chapel contains Crewe family monuments. Sir
Thomas Crewe died 1634 and wife attributed to Gerard Christmas. Reclining
alabaster effigies under marble canopy with shields and obelisks. Temperance
Brown died 1634. Signed by John and Mathias Christmas and dated 1635. Wall
monument with effigy in shroud rising from coffin, angel with trumpet and
allegorical figures. John Crewe died 1609 oval wall tablet framed by laurel
wreaths with armorial shield at top and skull at base. John Crewe, First
Baron of Steane died 1679. Plain wall tablet with coat of arms Lord Thomas
Crewe, died 1697. Monument in 4 parts: At top, coat of arms flanked by urns
swags of flowers. Central oval inscription tablet, framed by niches containing
cherubs, beneath it cherubs heads with palms and acanthus scrolls. Panelled
base enclosed by iron railings with urn finials. Nathanial, Lord Crewe, Bishop
of Durham died 1721. Wall tablet surmounted by two coronets and a mitre.
Built as a private chapel and burial place for himself and his wife Temperance,
by Thomas Crewe, Speaker of the House of Commons. There was a chapel here in
C13.
(A. Oswald and K. Esdaile, The Chapel at Steane Park; Country Life 2nd July,
1938, p.12.; Buildings of England : Northamptonshire, p.413).
Listing NGR: SP5545339020
