Church of St Andrew, Colne Engaine (EHER 9414)

A parish church of 12th century origin with later additions and a restoration of 1872 by G. Swansborough. It is constructed from flint and stone rubble containing Roman brick and tile, and red brick in English bond, with dressings of Barnack and other limestone, roofed with handmade red clay tiles. The nave dates to the early 12th century whilst the chancel was added in the 13th century. The west tower is of 14th-15th century date with the upper part rebuilt in brick in the early 16th century. Also altered in the early 16th century was the 15th century south porch. The north vestry and organ-chamber date to the restoration of 1872; the chancel arch was also rebuilt at this time. The nave has quoins of Roman brick, irregularly alternated with limestone, and in the south wall are well-defined bonding courses of Roman brick. In the north and south walls there are traces of blocked 12th century windows which are defined externally in Roman brick.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 9414, 9415, 9416, and 28666. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Walls are flint and stone-rubble mixed with Roman brick and tiles; porch and upper storeys of the tower are brick. Dressings are Barnack and limestone the roofs are tiled. Nave is early 12th century. Chancel was probably rebuilt in the 13th century. West tower was added possibly in the 14th century. Early in the 16th century the top storeys of the tower were rebuilt and the south porch added. Features and fittings include: windows and window details of 12th, 14th, early 16th century; 13th century south doorway (blocked) in chancel; 14th century south doorway in nave; 15th century king post roof over nave and south porch, latter evidently from an earlier structure early 16th century brass on south respond of chancel, inscription only; early 16th century niche in porch; 14th century piscina, sedilia in chancel. In the 19th century the church was restored, when the chancel arch was rebuilt, the east wall raised and the north vestry added. Fittings include: a bell of 1624 and probably 17th century chest in the vestry. Exterior is of some interest as there is obvious stratigraphy in the walls. Interior is a dull 19th century restoration. "The fabric would respond to investigations and so may the site in general; it probably has a Roman ancestry as evidenced by a nearby burial. Graded CIIa by Rodwell. Site Assessment = Top storeys of the tower and south porch are interesting examples of brickwork. The south porch is in part a replica of that at Pebmarsh. Site probably has a Roman cemetery as evidenced by a nearby burial. <1> - <3> Parish Church of St Andrew. Traces of 13th century windows in chancel. Remains of 12th century window outlined in Roman brick in nave. Nave roof is 14th century, crown post construction. South porch is 15th century, originally timber-framed, built up in brick to wall plate level with brick gable outside original studded gable in early 16th century. 15th century crown post roof. Restored in 1872 by G. Swansborough. North vestry and organ chamber were added, chancel arch was rebuilt. One of the bells is dated 1760. 19th century tablets on nave and chancel walls. On south wall of nave, 18th century marble plaques. Nave has west quoins of Roman brick, irregularly alternated with limestone and in the south wall are well defined bonding courses of Roman brick. In the north wall are traces of a blocked 12th century window defined in Roman brick; similarly defined blocked internally 12th century window in south wall with indistinct traces of another. Grade I. <4> The alterations to the tower can be dated fairly closely. A will of 1496 (John Drapers, a skinner of London) ordered the sale of lands and tenements for the purchase of 40,000 'brykes' - 10,000 to be given annually for the work on the belfry of the church. These were probably more than enough as the porch was rebuilt at the same time, of the same materials as the tower. The architects drawings (1872) for the restoration show the former existence of a door in the north wall of the nave. The round font was probably very ancient. The gallery at the west end was probably 18th century; was removed in the 19th century with all the old fittings. Post 1875 changes are listed in this source. <5> - <7> Contains Roman brick and tile. These are also constantly ploughed up in the field to the south of the church. <8> In 1990 a tombstone was discovered lying between the altar rail step and the wooden choir stalls of the church. <9> August 1976. Field visit. St Andrews Church walls and tower are constructed of flint, stone, and Roman tile. There is a sparse scatter of tile fragments in the field to the south which slopes steeply away from the church, but Lindsay <10> suggests that rubble from repairs to the church in 15th-16th century was deposited here. <11> See also: <12> - <16>