Church Heritage Record 614337

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Guyhirn: St Mary Magdalene

Name:

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

Guyhirn: St Mary Magdalene
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Closed Church
Church code:

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

614337
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

Huntingdon & wisbech
Parish:

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

Wisbech: St Mary and Guyhirn with Rings End

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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 II 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 not in a Conservation Area

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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.

Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene
Description:

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

Photograph of the exterior of St Mary Magdalene Guyhirn church taken 25 March 2000
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

2000
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Unknown

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
A large Victorian Gothic brick church in a rural village location, the church set to the west of the village itself. The “new” parish church was built in 1878, designed by the famous architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, who died in that year. Externally the church appears almost unchanged since, with the exception of the addition of the small vestry. A tall and impressive building in the Early English Gothic style.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship: Unknown
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.guyhirn-online.org.uk/church.shtml

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown (2000) Exterior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene
Unknown (2000) Interior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene
James Miles (2018) Closed Churches [Digital Archive/Data]
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~127525~118518 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 07971

Coverage - 1875-1879

Created by SCOTT, George Gilbert: b. 1811 - d. 1878 of London

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~127535~118519 [Archive/Graphic material]

Perspective

ICBS File Number - 07971

Coverage - 1875-1879

Created by ?SCOTT, George Gilbert: b. 1811 - d. 1878 of London

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: TF 397 032

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.

A large Victorian Gothic brick church in a rural village location, the church set to the west of the village itself. Guyhirn is now rather an island due to the expansion of the A47, which has had the advantage that the previously busy road past the church and through the village is now a quiet by-road just for the village itself, though the main road runs parallel behind a bank and at no great distance from the church. The large vicarage adjacent is now in private hands.

The churchyard is defined by iron fencing to the south and the road, but with no clear borders on the other sides, overlooking flat open fields to the north. It is mostly laid to grass with some planting and a few mature trees of various varieties, in some parts very overgrown. There are no burials, as the churchyard of the old chapel-of-ease (now CCT) in the village is used, 300 yards down the road towards the village itself. There is a Grade II listed World War I War Memorial of polished granite, a cross on a tapering square pier with black lettering to the pier and stepped base.  This was re-located to the churchyard to make way for the diversion of the A47 through Guyhirn.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

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

Nave of four bays, south-west porch, south vestry, transepts, chancel.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Nave approx 23m (75 ft) x 8m (25ft).

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

269 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.

The village had a medieval church, demolished at some point; it is said to have been on the site of St Mary, and the VCH records that masonry and carved stones were found in the churchyard in the past.  The site is therefore likely to be of archaeological significance. In c 1660 a new church was built (a Commonwealth chapel) on a different site, which was given the status of a chapel-of-ease when the present parish church was built.  This chapel has since been made redundant and was vested in the RCT/CCT in 1973.  The “new” parish church was built in 1878, designed by the famous architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, who died in that year.  Externally the church appears almost unchanged since, with the exception of the addition of the small vestry.

Exterior Description

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

A tall and impressive building in the Early English Gothic style (pointed lancets throughout). The lack of a tower is made up for by the height of the nave, accentuated by the steep roof and use of tall lancets. There are three such of equal height in the west front with double chamfered reveals, above the central of which is a foiled vesica shaped window. Buttresses of two weatherings climb between the windows to a string course between the lancets and vesica. The gable is surmounted by a gabled belcote containing three bells. All gables are coped.

The nave fenestration is of paired lancets within relieving arches dying into buttresses of two weatherings, with a string course at cill level. The transepts have 3-lights of stepped pointed lancets in their outer faces, a small vestry with a lean-to roof is squeezed in between the south transept and nave, pointed doorway on the west side. The east wall of the lower chancel is pierced by a round wheel window above three widely spaced chamfered lancets of equal height, there is a lancet in each side wall. 

The timber south porch taking up the west bay on this side is very good, open-sided and nicely carved with a gabled, tiled roof. The ridge tiles have been replaced recently here and to the south transept, in startlingly bright red tiles. There is a pointed arch to the internal doorway. Above the porch is a round window with cinquefoil cusping above.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
George Gilbert Scott
Role:
Architect
From:
01 Jan 1878
To:
31 Dec 1878
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

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

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
STAINED GLASS
STAINED GLASS

Building Materials

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

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
BRICK
STONE

Interior Image

Interior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 614337 Guyhirn St Mary Magdalene
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph of the interior of St Mary Magdalene Guyhirn church taken 25 March 2000
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2000
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Interior Description

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

The church is entered through a shallow inner draught lobby of dark-stained panelled wood. It is rather gloomy, lit only by red halogen lamps, the darkened and streaked brick exposed everywhere. There is a huge amount of space inside under the fine open timber roof, which has tie-beams and octagonal king-posts with moulded bases and capitals. The nave is fully pewed with boarded bases, otherwise with black and red quarry tiles, the central walkway laid with red carpet, with the font at the west end.

The high chancel arch is pointed and of two chamfered orders, the inner carried on shafts with moulded capitals and springing from corbels carved with angels carrying instruments. There are also pointed and chamfered arches to the openings to the north organ chamber and south chapel, and a small pointed doorway giving access to the south vestry. The chancel has its original furnishings, with rather good choir stalls with turned balusters and pierced fronts and an encaustic tiled floor, disturbed in places by subsidence. The windows have deeply splayed reveals within rere-arches taken down to engaged columns set in pairs.

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).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR (1878)
FONT (COMPONENT) (1979)
FONT (OBJECT) (1878)
LECTERN (1878)
ORGAN (OBJECT)
PLAQUE (OBJECT)
PULPIT (1878)

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: TF 397 032

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 Closed Church.

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

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Closed 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?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

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

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

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 Closed Church

Churchyard Structures

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

Work in progress - can you help?

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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Closed 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 9
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 9
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
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) 9
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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Closed 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 Closed 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 Closed 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.

No species data found for this record

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 Closed 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 Closed 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.

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WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackAdded SourceThu 18 Aug 2022 14:16:35
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 18 Aug 2022 14:15:09
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:13:09
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:12:39
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:11:08
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:10:45
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:10:22
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:10:04
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:09:30
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 18 Aug 2022 14:09:13
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