Church of St Mary the Virgin, Little Chesterford (EHER 35650)

A small church with nave and chancel undivided. The earliest detail is of the 13th century but the church was much restored in the 19th century. The chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century and the north porch was added in the 15th century. The vestry and the bellcote were added in the 19th century. Summary from record 4834: "There are a few fragments of Roman brick in the walls". Summary from record 4835: In the village next to the hall. Summary from record 4836: Church restored during the 19th century when the vestry and bell-cot were added.

February 1967. Grade II* listed. A small church with nave and chancel undivided. The earliest detail is of the 13th century but the church was much restored in the 19th century. The chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century and the north porch was added in the 15th century. The vestry and the bellcote were added in the 19th century. There are some early 13th century lancet windows in the nave. <1> See photos <2>. The foundations of the church were inspected. The angle buttresses at the north-east and south-east corners of the chancel are additions, apparently of the same build as the 19th century vestry. The plinth is contemporary with the buttresses. Behind the plinth, the east was observed to have foundations continuing below the bottom of the drain. They seem to consist of flints in earth, presumably filling a foundation trench. The east wall of the vestry had been built over a brick lined and vaulted grave, probably associated with the adjacent gravestone, now virtually illegible but bearing a date which seems to read 179[?]. <3> Description from record 4834: "There are a few fragments of Roman brick in the walls". The 19th century vestry contains many medieval glazed floor tiles in the fabric. Graded 'CIIIb' by Rodwell. <4> See photo <5>. Church restored during the 19th century when the vestry and bell-cot were added. <6> In the village next to the hall. Single-celled, formerly divided. Earliest detail 13th century. <7> Flint rubble walls. Earliest detail in building is 13th century. The proportions and positions of the doorways indicate an earlier date. The church was possibly rebuilt towards the end of the 14th century-evidence is inconclusive due to plaster internally and externally. North porch was added in the 15th century. Early 13th and late 14th century windows, late 14th century doorways. The roof is 15th century and there is a 15th century timber in the later roof of the north porch. In the chancel is a brass of 1462. The font is 15th century, there is 14th century and early 16th century glass. The piscina is late 13th century, there is a late 15th century niche and the screen is late 15th or early 16th century. Monument of 1728 in a recess added to the south wall of the chancel. <8> <9> Some good 18th century headstones have been placed around the boundaries of the graveyard-see 23. <9> Nave has some early 13th century lancet windows. Graded for historical value and internal features. <10> Site Assessment: Ground level high against the walls, though it was partly lowered in the 19th century. Current threat to bulldoze it further and to construct drainage channels. Dampness is serious and floors have collapsed. A major archaeological investigation is needed to meet threats. Nothing is known of the immediate archaeology. "Graveyard has been devastated with almost unique thoroughness." Headstones, including some good 18th century ones, placed around the boundaries. Much restored in the 19th century. Graded for historical value and internal features. <4> NRHE data transfer: (TL 51514171) St Mary's Church (NAT). <11> See also <12>.