St Michael

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/10167484
Croft1.jpg (53391 bytes)
Croft2.jpg (63949 bytes)
The Finger Organ

The Finger Organ is by Bevington, and formerly had barrel mechanism. A tune list remains in the organ case, and includes the
tune 'Nayland', a place near Colchester.  This is a 'local' tune name, and quite probably was used by Rust of Chelmsford.
It is known that the barrel organ was made by John Rayment Rust for Croft Church in 1856, and enlarged in 1858. See letter in "The Organ" No 49. He appears in the Essex Directory until 1914.

The church is next to Croft Castle, and also comes under the protection of the National Trust.

History of the church - reasons for listing

Parish church. Mid-C14, extended early C16 (dedicated 1515), partly rebuilt C17, restored late C19. Coursed rubble with some ashlar dressings and a machine tile roof. Chancel, nave with bell turret. Nave: C14 north wall of three bays with two C14 windows, each of two cinquefoiled lights under a two-centred head, bay to right (west) has an early C18 doorway with bolection moulded architrave beneath an oval window with four key blocks. South wall has two windows, that to east of two cinquefoiled lights under a two-centred head, to west of two ogee cinquefoiled lights under a square head.

The south door at the west end is C14 with chamfered jambs and a two-centred head. The square bell turret is of timber, mostly rendered, under a lead covered ogee capping. The belfry vents run all the way around with a series of turned balusters. Chancel: C14, extended early C16. North wall has a blocked C16 four-centred arch, formerly opening into a north chapel. To west of arch a blocked C16 door. South wall has two restored C14 windows, each of three ogee cinquefoiled lights under a square head.

East window of four trefoiled lights under a segmental pointed head. Interior: tall chancel arch with two-centred arch of two chamfered orders continuously moulded. A piscina in south wall of chancel has a two-centred head. Roof of chancel, C16 of three bays with arch-braced collar
beam, trusses, with V-struts in the apex, and moulded wall-plates. The bay over the altar is boarded, painted with clouds, and the truss has painted cherub heads at the wall-plate. Nave has a similar roof of three bays withcherub heads to one truss.

Fittings: west gallery has a bolection moulded panelled front. The font has an octagonal bowl on a re-used base. Pews incorporate C18 raised and fielded panelling. Floor tiles in chancel steps and nave floor are late C15 Malvern tiles, with a few C14 tiles. Reredos of C17 panelling with fluted frieze. Croft monument in chancel (formerly in north chapel) to Sir Richard Croft, died 1509, and his wife. An elaborate altar tomb bearing the recumbent effigies of Sir Richard and his wife. Above their heads an elaborate canopy, the back of which is carved with four saints and other figures. (BoE, p 108-109; RCHM 3, pp 33-4).

Dove's reference for the bells

 

ACCESS

Map reference : 



Photographs: © Edwin Macadam


Please see our  Home Page  for important copyright notice

Up Arrow

-----------------

email logo

SEARCH THIS SITE

PicoSearch

 

 

  Help

This site has been constructed by, and remains the copyright of, its authors,
Edwin and Sheila Macadam,

Shelwin, 30, Eynsham Road, Botley,
Oxford OX2 9BP
© July 2001 -