St Mary's Great Brington - Site updated : 19th May 2025
History & Information
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Great Brington is recorded in the Doomsday book and is likely that a wooden church originally stood on this site before it was burned down in the 13th Century. The current church dating from between 1220 and 1280 follows the pattern of the Early English decorated and Perpendicular styles.
Nave
Introduction
Introduction
After the tower was completed the nave was added between 1220 and 1280 including the arcaded north aisleand an architecturally different south aisle. The church at that time served as an all-purpose village building to meet the civil and religious needs of the populace including domestic animals. A screen separated the nave from the chancel so that worship in the chancel would not be disrupted by activities in the nave.
Chancel
Introduction
Bell tower
Also dating from the 1200's and the part of the church dedicated to worship. As the local population increased the nave also became used for worship which changed the internal configuration so that aisles, windows, doors and a clerestory added. As these were added the styles changed so there is no one consistant style in the church.
Bell tower
St Josephs Chapel
Bell tower
The west door and window were added by Sir Edward Grey in 1450 and the bell frame dates from the 18th Century. The clock dates to 1820 and made by John Corby of Castle Ashby. On the walls of the tower are large tablets, originally in the nave, and painted calligraphic inscriptions of the Lords Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments.
Spencer Chapel
St Josephs Chapel
St Josephs Chapel
The Spencers arrived in 1508 and John Spencer commissioned the building of the chapel dedicated and housing the tombs of the Spencers.Nineteen generations rest here and the monuments, banners, helms, coronets, heraldic symbols celebrate and honour past Spencers. It has always been seperated from the chancel and nave by ornamental iron railings.
St Josephs Chapel
St Josephs Chapel
St Josephs Chapel
Originally know as the Chantry chapel and included with the building of the south aisle in the 1200's. It has now been renamed the St Joseph Chapel and has a contempory stained glass window depicting the Light of the World. This was added in 2000 to celebrate the Millennium.
Churchyard Cross
Churchyard Cross
Churchyard Cross
A churchyard cross, somewhat eroded proudly stands on its own green to the west of the church. It is believed to have been erected about 1300, probably on the site of an earlier one. Its function was to serve as a common memorial to all who had died and were buried in the churchyard.
Font
Churchyard Cross
Churchyard Cross
After the tower was completed the nave was added between 1220 and 1280 including the arcaded north aisleand an architecturally different south aisle. The church at that time served as an all-purpose village building to meet the civil and religious needs of the populace including domestic animals. A screen separated the nave from the chancel so that worship in the chancel would not be disrupted by activities in the nave.
Poppy heads
Churchyard Cross
Poppy heads
Also termed bench ends, the church has 181 from different periods. 1405, c 1450, 1606, 1848 and 1903. Only four of the earliest survive. The designs are a mixture of family coats of arms, fleur-de-lis, shields, biblical, nature, flora and fauna.
Alms Chest
Washington pew end
Poppy heads
Age unknow but it is referred to in records of 1602. The chest would be used to store records and alms payments. It is oak, heavily banded with iron and can be secured with several locks.
Washington Grave
Washington pew end
Washington pew end
In 1616, Lawrence Washington (Great- Great- Great Grandfather of George Washington) died and was buried under a slab stone in the chancel.
The Spencers and the Washingtons were related (3rd cousins) and due to financial difficulties the Washington's left Sulgrave Manor to reside in a house provided by the 1st Lord Spencer.
Washington pew end
Washington pew end
Washington pew end
The pew end is carved with the arms of the Washingtons - stars and bars which is the origin of the flag of the USA.
Text on Washington's grave
'Here lieth the body of Larence Washington - sonne & hiere of Robert Washington of Soulgrave in the Countie of Northampton Esquier - who married Margaret the eldest daughter of William Butler of Tees in the Countie of Sussexe Esquire - who had issu by her - 8 sons & 9 daughters - which Lawrence decessed The 13 of December - A:D 1616.