Nominal: 794 Hz Weight: 866 lbs Diameter: 36.75" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 5676 Tower ID: 16149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Rugeley: St Augustine
Diocese of Lichfield
Church, 620089
Overview
Grid reference: SK 45 185
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
2-bay chancel and north chapel. North aisle arcade and west tower.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] chancel and chapel 8m (25ft) square
Footprint of Church buildings: 741 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The Old Chancel has its origins in a chapel-of-ease, first mentioned in 1192 and perhaps built a few decades earlier (Rugeley is mentioned in Domesday, but no chapel). The fabric of the chancel itself, and one lancet in the south wall, date to this period. It became a parish church in 1272 when the Dean of Lichfield granted it this status, and a major building campaign saw the addition of the north aisle and chapel. A further campaign in the 14th century added the tower and south aisle, there was also a south porch and north vestry. This proposed sequence, detailed in a booklet by Staffordshire County Council in 1983 with phased reconstruction, might be in need of review.
After the Reformation there were attempts to increase the church’s capacity by adding galleries, but as Rugeley grew rapidly after the construction of the Trent and Mersey Canal it was decided that a new church was needed. This new St Augustine’s was finally constructed in 1822-3 directly to the east, a big and expensive early Gothic revival job reflecting the growing prosperity of the town.
The tower was kept as a landmark. What became known as the Old Chancel, the chancel and north lady chapel, was used as a cemetery chapel and Sunday School. The nave was pulled down, only the north arcade left standing connecting the two elements. There appears to have been a comprehensive Victorian renovation, which involved partly blocking the east arch of the arcade between chancel and chapel. The Old Chancel was used until the 1990s, the period of the most recent repairs to the roof, and the construction of a hall next to the new church. The structures have deteriorated since.
The archaeological potential of the site is considerable. The site contains mature trees and is a Green lung within the town, and as such is of considerable ecological value. Its role within the Conservation Area is also of considerable value.
Exterior Description
First of all the “ruined” parts. The 3-stage west tower is a plain structure, crenellated, with a pointed west door with hoodmould and pointed 3-light window above with Geometrical tracery, pointed tower arch to the lost nave with gable scar above (now blocked with fencing due to collapsing belfry floor). There are 2-light pointed cusped openings to the belfry stage, small lancets in stage below. Diagonal buttresses, moulded plinth.
The surviving north nave arcade is of three bays, the two middle bays Early English with broad rounded chamfered arches and keeled compound piers, the westernmost arch pointed, late 14th-century, the easternmost arch narrower and supported on a short column, early 13th century. The exact chronology here needs teasing out.
The chancel and Lady Chapel each have a gabled roof with plain east cross finial, and together form a roughly square block in plan. The chancel east wall is pierced by a large Victorian 3-light pointed window with Geometrical tracery, 3-light with Early English 3-light in the lady chapel. The north wall of the chapel has a 2-light square-headed window in the east bay.
The south wall has a 3-light pointed window with Geometrical tracery, to the east of a single pointed lancet high up. To the east of this again is a shouldered doorway with lintel, now blocked. One lean-to buttress to the south wall which looks a late addition, diagonal buttresses to the east corners. 19th-century regular blocking masonry of the western openings to nave and aisle, of which there are no visible traces. There is a blocked square-headed door into the chapel.
Building Fabric and Features
Chancel
12th century
Lady Chapel
13th century
Tower (monument)
14th century
Arcade
13th century north aisle arcade
Building Materials
Sandstone
1822-3
Sandstone
Sandstone
Medieval ashlar
Stone
Medieval Freestone dressings
Clay
Medieval tile roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is whitewashed plaster. An area with Post-Reformation scrolling text has been left exposed on the north side of the east window, raising then possibility that more such, or earlier, may survive. The monuments from the old church have been collected here, forming a history of the Weston and (following marriage) Landor families from the 16th to 19th centuries, a very fine collection, with some conservation needs. There are also benefaction boards and more recent memorials.
Low sedilia in south wall of chancel with gabled canopy, and Victorian piscina under the 2-light window. Medieval piscina within pointed recess in south wall of chapel. Piscina in Victorian blocking of east arch of 13th-century pointed arcade between chancel and chapel. Stone flagged floor. Plain Victorian roof structure. Moveable simple altar table, communion rails, desks, low simple benches, all probably Victorian. There is a lot of clutter, modern chairs and tables from the use as a Sunday School.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (component)
14th century Medieval font, a fine piece of marble, octagonal bowl with crocketing.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century Restored in 1968, according to plaques. • East chancel window - 3 lights depicting the Crucifixion, by Kempe. • South chancel window –coloured glass • South-west chancel lancet - some medieval fragments with oak motif. • North-east chapel window, scenes from Jesus’s early life, Kempe?
Plaque (component)
20th century various
Organ (component)
20th century small harmonium
Bells
Nominal: 1338 Hz Weight: 467 lbs Diameter: 26.75" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1707
Dove Bell ID: 37011 Tower ID: 16149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1189 Hz Weight: 452 lbs Diameter: 27.5" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 37012 Tower ID: 16149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1062 Hz Weight: 520 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 37013 Tower ID: 16149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 992 Hz Weight: 628 lbs Diameter: 30.88" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 37014 Tower ID: 16149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 888 Hz Weight: 672 lbs Diameter: 33.5" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 37015 Tower ID: 16149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
registers date from 1596 held at CRO
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 45 185
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.
It is unknown whether 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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