Nominal: 888 Hz Weight: 1008 lbs Diameter: 37.25" Bell 1 of 4
Founded by Christopher Graye 1655
Dove Bell ID: 1777 Tower ID: 17341 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Comberton: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: TL 383 555
St Mary’s is the parish church of Comberton, a village five miles west of Cambridge. The Grade 1 listed church stands on the highest ground in the village and is about half a mile south of the crossroads that mark the village’s focal point. The building dates from the 13th century although an older church many have stood before and been demolished for the new one. By the late fifteenth century, the interior was highly decorated, with the roof, pews and furnishings painted and fine stained glass in the windows. The dissolution led to 200 years of decay and destruction. In the nineteenth century, interest was re-ignited and a large scale restoration was undertaken. Today the church is beautifully kept and there is an active Friends’ group which fundraises to maintain the fine church fabric. The church shelters three species of bat: Brown long-eared, Myotis sp and common pipistrelle. It was part of the Bats in Churches project 2018-23.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 355 m²
Exterior Description
Although there was likely a church on this site prior to the thirteenth century, the earliest material that can be found in the Church of St Mary dates to the thirteenth century when the chancel, nave, and south aisle were built. The siting of the Church of St Mary to the south of the main settlement may have been affected by the position of the manor-house of Burdeleys, since before 1100 the church belonged briefly to the lord of that manor. 10 Improvements and additions were made in the fourteenth century. The south wall of the chancel was rebuilt in the early fourteenth century, possibly by lord of the manor Geoffrey Burdeleys (d. 1324) whose name and arms once appeared in one of the windows there. The tower was added also at this time, and probably also the south porch.
British History Online (1968) In the fifteenth century the windows in the south aisle were replaced, and early in the next century the east window, the north aisle, and the clerestory were added. A bequest to glaze one of the clerestory windows was made in 1520.
Interior
Interior Description
The rood stair is of the early sixteenth century although the screen might, on stylistic grounds, be earlier. It survives with much original woodwork to the closed panels and vertical tracery. There are several early sixteenth-century pews and stalls with carved figures, some defaced, including a seated man, a lion, an eagle, and two men ighting or dancing. The initials TB suggest that they were the gift of Thomas Baron (d. 1525). 10 Figure 4: View of pew with carved figures The font is that of a tapering octagonal bowl, thirteenth century in date with a seventeenth century pyramidal wooden cover with turned finials. The cover was suspended by iron chains above the font but now rests beside it, on the floor. In the mid-1500s the chancel was in disrepair and the glazing decayed. In 1728 and 1783 church and chancel were recorded as being in tolerable repair. In c.1820, however, the tower was in decay and had to be partially rebuilt. A grant from a church building society enabled the church to be repaired c. 1850. Open seating replaced the pews, and a new pulpit was installed. Restoration to the exterior carried out in 1873, was undertaken by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1874–9, and again in 1884–5. The south porch was almost entirely rebuilt. In the 1890s the vicar raised £700 for further repairs. A new chancel roof had been built by 1898. There were fresh repairs in 1902–3, and the tower was again restored in 1921 and 1967. The church organ was purchased in 1919 as a war memorial to the First World War and was built by Mr Edwin Tyrell of St Ives. The cost of about £150 was met through donations with 2 guineas gifted from Jesus College, patrons of the church. The nave roof and that of the clerestory are contemporary. The roof in the north aisle had carved angels along its embattled cornice, later defaced so that only their wings or wingtips remain.
Fixtures and fittings
Bell Frame
17th C
Maker
Pickford
5.D
Date
17th C
Visit
BMcC 7/95, RW
Description
Plan Layout 4.2. 1828?
OFJ
Jurisdiction
Number of Bells
Material
Oak
Bells
Nominal: 1037 Hz Weight: 700 lbs Diameter: 31.38" Bell 2 of 4
Founded by Miles I Graye 1633
Dove Bell ID: 49741 Tower ID: 17341 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1155 Hz Weight: 588 lbs Diameter: 29.38" Bell 3 of 4
Founded by John Waylett 1711
Dove Bell ID: 49742 Tower ID: 17341 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1237 Hz Weight: 526 lbs Diameter: 28.38" Bell 4 of 4
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1874
Dove Bell ID: 49743 Tower ID: 17341 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 383 555
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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