Page 12 - Oundle Life September 2023

FUNDRAISER
St Mary’s Church, Benefield
St Mary’s Church, Benefield is steeped in history, there has been a church on this site since the 14th century.
The present church was partly rebuilt between 1846 and 1848 when a new nave was built with wide north and south aisles, the roof lines were raised with the addition of new gables
was also tinted red but this tint has since faded! In the past 15 years the church has undergone various restoration projects. In 2008 the chancel
roof was stripped and reslated, followed by the bells being removed, restored, and rehung in 2011. In 2016 the south aisle roof was stripped,
and pitched Colleyweston roofs under the direction of the architect John M Derick. The chancel underwent further restoration in 1897, when a new altar and reredos were erected, work on the ceiling was also carried out and a rood loft added, this work was designed by Sir Ninian Comper.
the church still needs further restoration work
the battens renewed and reslated using many of the original slates. This work was carried out with the help of a grant for 60% of the cost from the Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund. This fund was closed in 2018.
After almost 175 years the church still needs further restoration work, the Colleyweston roof of the north and
The church has very interesting windows. Some are stained glass, the east window above the altar is by David Evans of Shrewsbury
and is a copy of a window that appears in
Ely Cathedral. The nave and aisles have mass produced diapered glass by Drury and Smith (glass with a rolled patterned surface), which
middle aisle (dating from 1847) is in need of repair. A talk by Nigel Hill of Harpurs Jewellers on Thursday September 14th is the start of our fundraising journey. Tickets available from Oundle Bookshop.
Email: churchbenefield@yahoo.com
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