Church Heritage Record 614052

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Burwell: St Mary

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Burwell: St Mary
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Major Parish Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

614052
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Ely
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Cambridge
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Burwell with Reach

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Burwell High Town

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 614052 Burwell St Mary
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 614052 Burwell St Mary
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph of the outside of the church.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

October 2010
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

This file is licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported licence.
Originator:

Keltek Trust

John McCullough

Summary Description

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St Mary’s is a large, light and spacious building, which is Grade I listed and considered to be of Moderate to High Significance in the region. St Mary’s Church stands on a site previously occupied by an Anglo Saxon church in a conservation area at the south-western end of the village. Built of flint and cobbles with some clunch (a local soft stone), it dates predominantly from C15th (1439 – 67, although various architectural styles and additions may be observed. The lower part of the tower is early 12th century; part of the western end of the south aisle dates from the 14th century and the spirelet on the tower was added in 1799.There were extensive restorations in the 19th century.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is open for worship.
The church is open for visitors every day during daylight hours, except when there is a service on. There are services every weekday morning and throughout the day on Sunday; check the church website for more details.
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.stmarysburwell.org.uk

Sources and Further Information

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John McCullough (October 2010) Exterior image of 614052 Burwell St Mary [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 614052 Burwell St Mary
Antiquarian Horological Society (2015) AHS Turret Clock database Unique Number ID: 590 [Digital Archive/Data]
01/08/2006
http://www.ahstcg.org
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 6233 [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 10
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13790/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
James Miles (2019) Bell frames of historic importance 1 Listed Bell Frame [Archive/Index]
1 Listed Bell Frame
Archbishops' Council (2013) Interior Photograph of 614052 Burwell St Mary [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior Photograph of 614052 Burwell St Mary
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~107064~116403 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 05802

Coverage - 1861

Created by John EDLIN

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 9 Bells [Archive/Index]
9 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TL 589 660

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Cambridgeshire County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

The church building is located within the setting of Burwell Castle - Scheduled Ancient Monument - List Entry ID: 1015596.

The parish church of St Mary the Virgin stands in a prominent position in High Street, Burwell, Cambs. 

t Mary’s Church stands on a site previously occupied by an Anglo Saxon church in a conservation area at the south-western end of the village. It is part of a complex of ancient buildings including (the remains of) Burwell Castle, built by King Stephen in the C12th and itself on the site of a substantial Roman building, adjacent to a spring. St Mary’s can be seen from several miles away and the church and churchyard dominate the High Street in this part of the village.

The churchyard of St Mary’s was used for burials until 1994, when it was formally ‘closed’ and it is now maintained by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC).  Two areas are set aside for the interment of cremated remains and these are still in current use. The churchyard contains numerous graves with several headstones independently Listed Grade II, including one in memory of the Barn Fire in 1727 in which 78 villagers were burned to death, and 9 graves managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

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Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

628 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

St Mary’s Church stands on a site previously occupied by an Anglo Saxon church in a conservation area at the south-western end of the village. It is part of a complex of ancient buildings including (the remains of) Burwell Castle, built by King Stephen in the C12th and itself on the site of a substantial Roman building, adjacent to a spring.

Built of flint and cobbles with some clunch (a local soft stone), it dates predominantly from C15th (1439 – 67, although various architectural styles and additions may be observed. The lower part of the tower is early 12th century; part of the western end of the south aisle dates from the 14th century and the spirelet on the tower was added in 1799.There were extensive restorations in the 19th century, including one in 1862 by Mr Edlin and another by George Street in 1877. There were further modifications to the nave and chancel in the 20th century and in 2015 the tower , vestries and south porch were modified to provide a kitchen, toilets, small meeting rooms and additional storage space.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

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Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Who:
Marshall Sisson Architects
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Interior Image

Interior Photograph of 614052 Burwell St Mary
Caption:
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Interior Photograph of 614052 Burwell St Mary
Description:
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Photograph Taken on 7 February 2013
Year / Date:
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2013
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The church consists of a Chancel, Nave with North and South Aisles, a Vestry at the west end of the South Aisle and North and South Porches. The space in the Nave is designed as a whole, comprising of five virtually symmetrical bays. The great piers stand on raised bases presently largely obscured by the Victorian pews. Only the minor shafts have capitals, allowing the deep, hollow moulding to run up the piers and sweep over the arch to stretch the impression of height. Above, the wall surface is subdivided by shafts, which rise from the piers and the crowns of the arches to support the roof trusses. Each such subdivision has a clerestory window over an area of blind panelling.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
BELL (1 of 8)
BELL (2 of 8)
BELL (3 of 8)
BELL (4 of 8)
BELL (5 of 8)
BELL (6 of 8)
BELL (7 of 8)
BELL (8 of 8)
BELL (Clock)
BELL FRAME (1794)
CLOCK (18th Century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TL 589 660

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Major Parish Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Major Parish Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Major Parish Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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The churchyard is closed for burial.
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The date of the burial closure order is 15/03/1994.
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The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Major Parish Church.

Designation TypeNameGrade  
Listed Building Tombstone 40 Yards West Of Tower II View more
Listed Building Tombstones South Of South Porch II View more

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Major Parish Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

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Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

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Setting Significance Description:
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Fabric Significance Level:
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Fabric Significance Description:
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Interior Significance Level:
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Interior Significance Description:
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Community Significance Level:
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Community Significance Description:
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Church Renewables

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Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
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No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Major Parish Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 43
Total number of animal species 3
Total number of plant species 40
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 3
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 40
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

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If any of the following species have been seen close to the Major Parish Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Major Parish Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Major Parish Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

Common nameScientific nameHas this species been recorded yet?Is it a ‘blurred’ species? Last recorded sighting
Great Crested Newt
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Triturus cristatusNoNoNone
Natterjack Toad
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Epidalea calamitaNoNoNone
Sand Lizard
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Lacerta agilisNoNoNone
Common Lizard
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Zootoca viviparaNoNoNone
Adder
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Vipera berusNoNoNone
Grass Snake
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Natrix helveticaNoNoNone
Smooth Snake
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Coronella austriacaNoNoNone
Slow-worm
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Anguis fragilisNoNoNone
Eurasian Red Squirrel
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Sciurus vulgarisNoNoNone
Eurasian Badger
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Meles melesNoYesNone
Hazel Dormouse
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Muscardinus avellanariusNoNoNone
Swift
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Apus apusNoNoNone
House Martin
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
Delichon urbicumNoNoNone
Bat
(NBN Atlas opens in new tab)
ChiropteraYesYes2013

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Major Parish Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Major Parish Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackAdded image of the interior of the buildingWed 03 Nov 2021 14:35:54
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionWed 03 Nov 2021 14:30:36
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionWed 03 Nov 2021 14:30:01
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionWed 03 Nov 2021 14:29:27
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionWed 03 Nov 2021 14:27:36
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionWed 03 Nov 2021 14:26:39
Joseph EldersAdded image of the interior of the buildingMon 16 Sep 2019 10:31:12
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Conservation Area informationThu 05 Jan 2017 14:07:06
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Visiting and Facilities informationTue 08 Nov 2016 12:32:36
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Church Website addressTue 08 Nov 2016 12:29:53
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