Description

SP 9433-9533 WOBURN BEDFORD STREET
8/100
23.1.61 Old Church of St Mary
GV II*
Former mortuary chapel, now redundant, incorporating remains of medieval
parish church. Late medieval origins, tower reworked 1830 by Edward Blore.
Remainder of church demolished and mortuary, chapel constructed 1865-8 for
William 8th Duke of Bedford. At least some of this later work by Henry
Clutton (Bedfordshire Record Office: R5/917 General Account: Cash Book 1867-
68). Coursed ironstone with ashlar dressings. Leaded roofs. Tower to N,
linked by low block on S side to mortuary chapel, forming an L-plan.
Perpendicular style, with variety of tracery to windows. Tower: 4 stages,
each one set back slightly from the one below it. Ground stage stonework is
all that remains of medieval fabric. Diagonal buttresses surmounted by tall
crocketed pinnacles. Embattled parapet. Ground stage has C19 segmental
arches to W and E, thus forming entrance porch to building. 2nd stage has
single light to W elevation. Bell-stage has pointed-arched 2-light louvred
openings to each side. Tower is surmounted by octagonal pierced stone
lantern, with small flying buttresses, crocketed pinnacles, and crocketed
concave conical roof. Link block has plain parapet and 3-light square-headed
mullioned windows to W and E. Chapel: Simple 3-bay structure. 3-light 4-
centred-arched windows to N and S elevations. W end has 2 2-light windows and
quatrefoil to attic level. 5-light E window. Plain parapet. Interior: 3-
bay oak roof with moulded timbers. Carved stone corbels showing variety of
heads. N wall has marble monument (from earlier church) to Sir Francis
Staunton and wife Elizabeth (d.1630), with 2 relief panels showing husband,
wife and children kneeling either side of prayer desk. Monument is surmounted
by broken pediment and cartouche. E window stained glass includes Bedford
family arms surrounded by the Garter and surmounted by a coronet, and figures
of the Evangelists and Moses and Aaron.

Listing NGR: SP9486633246

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17551161

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.

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