Parish Church, Liston (EHER 8541)

Parish church (dedication unknown). The nave and chancel are 12th century in origin, the chancel widened about 1230, and the chancel arch was removed in about the 15th century.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 8541 and 27843. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Liston Church (C of E) [NAT]. <1> Parish Church, dedication unknown, stands on the east side of the park of Liston Hall. The walls are of flint rubble, with dressings of limestone and clunch, except the tower, which is of red brick; the roofs are covered with tiles and lead. The nave was built in the first half of the 12th century, and the east wall of the chancel is apparently of that date. Probably about 1230 the chancel was widened on both sides, making it the same width as the nave; possible at the same time, but more probably in the 15th century, the chancel-arch was removed. In the first half of the 16th century the west tower was added. the church was restored in the 19th century, when the north vestry, south chapel and south porch were added. The west tower is a good example of 16th century brickwork. <2> Charter of William I demonstrates church in existence by about 1087. <3> Parish Church (dedication unknown), early 12th century nave. Dating to about 1230, the chancel wall was probably widened to the same width as the nave. Chancel arch may have been removed then or from the 15th to 19th century. Restorations took place when north vestry, south chapel and south porch were added. Grade I. <4> 1985. Watching brief. Watching brief 1985 on replacement of wooden flooring on south side of the chancel revealed loose dry sand and rubble overlying the top of a brick vault at a depth of 200mm. A small hole at the western end of the vault showed coffins inside. These appeared to be stacked on an iron rack on at least 2 levels. Brick vault on side of chancel noted during replacement- brick unfrogged 230mm x 105mm x 65mm, sandy, well made (example kept) some Suffolk white bricks in vault roof. Small hole showed lead-covered coffins. Most monuments in church (prior to 'restoration' of chancel in mid 19th century) are 18th century, suggest date of vault is also. <5> <6> 1987. Watching brief. A flint rubble foundation at the south-east corner of the chancel was revealed during the excavation of a drainage trench. It extended at least 1.5m to the east, at a slight angle to the east wall; its full extent was unknown due to the presence of gravestones. Since no corresponding foundation or straight-joint was visible at the north-west corner, its most likely interpretation is a buttress. <7> 1994. Watching brief. Note dating to 1994 records that at a meeting to renew the pew platforms it was recalled that when a dry area was dug around part of the church the footings of the continuation of the south chancel wall were noted on the north side. Clearly the chancel was longer than at present and it was reduced no later than the 18th century (to judge from nearby graves). Notes on the renewal of the pew platforms, records a series of burnt patches, interpreted as working hearths, in one layer. Sealing this layers were bedding layers for tiles or pamments. Only finds from the work were a Victorian 'bun' penny and three yellow brick pavoirs of the sort that are in the porch. <8> See also: <9> - <11>