Despite being in the busy Nene Valley between Wellingborough and Thrapston, Irthlingborough church seen from the far side of the river retains a timeless and surprisingly isolated quality.
The flood plain here has meant that it is sighted above the meadows and its extraordinary tower remains the highest building in the area. This tower which starts as a square develops into an octagon and ends with a stump is a physical reminder that a college was founded here in 1388, even proceeding that at Higham Ferrers.
The tower is separate from the church joined to it by a large ground floor room which acts as a porch to each. In medieval times a beacon was lit at its apex for travellers to know where safe ground was to be found in this flooded landscape. Its architecture is even more idiosyncratic through the builders use of bands of light limestone against the local rich ironstone. This banding also appears in the internal arches of the church itself, giving them an almost Saracenic quality.
From the same period you will find choir stalls with their miserichords, the font, and some rather warm alabaster effigies. The church also contains some good late 19th century/ early 20th century stained glass by Kempe (Chancel) Morris & Co (North chapel) etc. In the south chapel you will discover the chest tomb of Sir Thomas Cheney (d. 1513) which has been transformed into the altar – interesting early 16th century gothic work. See drone footage of our Church here.
Please refer to the Glossary for any terms in the text that you are unfamiliar with.