Description

TL 5866 TL 5966 BURWELL HIGH STREET
(West Side)

15/21 16/21 CHURCH OF ST MARY

19.8.59

GV I

Parish Church, very fine, Perpendicular, believed to be the work
of Reginald Ely, master mason of King's College Chapel
Cambridge. Built while John Higham was vicar 1439-67;
inscription above chancel arch 1464 for the completion of the
nave roof. The early C12 tower rebuilt above first two stages
with C15 third stage and octagon; western end of C14 south aisle
survives in part with C15 vestry or treasury. Spirlet above
lantern to the tower dated 1799. Several C19 restorations, one
in 1862 by Mr Edlin, another by George Street in 1877. Walls of
field stones, flint and rubble with limestone dressings. Some
re-used Barnack stone; interior of clunch. Roofs covered with
lead; plain tiles to porches. The church is noteworthy for its
very fine proportions and richly carved ornament to chancel and
to the roofs of the nave, chancel and aisles (For complete
architectural description and fittings see RCHM North-East
Cambs. with measured drawings and plates). Wall painting of St
Christopher, fresco originally covered in 1649. Three brass
floor monuments and indents include a palimpsest brass possibly
of John Laurence de Wardboys, Abbot of Ramsey 1508 to 1539.
d.1542. Wall monument of painted clunch with two kneeling
figures to Thomas Gerard and his wife 1608. Canopied tomb chest
to Lee Cotton 1613 with figure in armour. Stalls in chancel
with some re-used C15 tracery, and pews 1860; chancel screen
C15 restored by Mr Allix of Swaffham Prior 1877; mosaic panels
inserted into reredos 1877; pulpit 1885; rose window reglazed
1885; oak screens across tower and vestry arches 1887; brass
lecturn with eagle book rest 1901; memorial windows in north
and south aisles by Hugh Eaton 1905 and 1934. Coffin stand
possibly late C17. Scratch-sundial medieval, re-used.

RCHM, North-East Cambs. p.18-25, plates 25-33, 1972
Pevsner Buildings of England, pp.310-12
Cole Ms C.R.O.
Sayer, W. Notes on Burwell Church C.C. (Cambridge Collection)
Gathercole, A.F. Burwell and its Church. 1972
Lewis J. Scratch sundial, 1980. C.C.
Lucas C. Fenman's World. 1930
Taylor C. Cambridgeshire Landscape, p.156, 1973

Listing NGR: TL5895866063

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17527521

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

• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets