Description

TF 5914 WIGGENHALL ST. GERMANS

12/26 Church of St. Germans
8.7.59

- I

Parish church. C13 west tower with C15 top, C15 nave, aisles and chancel, late
C14 eastern extensions to aisles to form chancel chapels. Ashlar, carstone
and brick. 3 stage tower supported by 2 western C19 flat buttresses. C19 2-
light Y west window below fragment of lancet head. Lancets to 3 exposed sides
of first 2 stages, that to lower south blocked. 2-light trefoiled belfry
windows under 4-centred arch and stepped crenellations to parapet with carving.
Corner pinnacles. South aisle with diagonal west buttresses and flat buttress
augmented by 2 massive sloping brick C18 buttresses on south wall. 3 2-light
windows under 4-centred arches. C16 brick south porch with diagonal buttresses
and wide arch below gable. Octagonal turrets stand on shoulders of gable,
crowning turret truncated. Arched 2-light side windows. 4 3-light clerestory
windows with ogee lights between rising mullions under basket arches. Setback
buttresses to chancel chapel and flat flanking buttress. 2 3-light Perpendicular
windows south one east. 4-light restored Perpendicular east window. North
chancel chapel extends to east wall : 3-light early C19 east window above door.
Diagonal buttress. 3 2-light side windows similar. Continuous with north nave
aisle : flat buttresses with 2 2-light windows and north door. Heavy brick
repairs to west end. In third nave aisle bay a deeply undercut and scrolled
external wall monument dated 1703. Interior. 4 bay arcade of quatrefoil piers
with fillets between lobes on polygonal bases supporting polygonal capitals
and double hollow chamfered arches. Clerestory windows over apices of arches.
Tower arch has demi-octagonal responds, double chamfered arch and roll moulded
and dog-tooth hood. Wave moulded chancel arch on semi-circular responds. Queen
post nave roof : moulded ties on arched braces to wall posts; moulded queen
posts, principals and butt purlins. Ridge piece. Gabled north aisle roof
largely C19. Rood stairs entered through ogeed shouldered arch. 2 bay arcade
to chancel chapels as nave but with octagonal piers. Chancel roof C19. C17
dado panelling to east wall. Pulpit 1631 : hexagonal with panels of geometric
carving. Early C17 reading desk with arched panel and scrolled brackets
supporting platform and 2 turned balusters to side wings. 28 nave benches of
c.1500 : pierced backs of various geometric patterns with carved bench ends
with poppyheads, animal or figurative arm rests and carved figures in niches
to side panels. North aisle arm rests depict scenes from life of St. Germans.
Font 1851. Bowl and stem of second font of C14 with tracery panels.

Listing NGR: TF5969314015

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17536299

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014