St Michael's of the Open University 25Feb21 b
Name: ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Designation Type: Listing
Grade: II*
List UID: 1160855
Some info from the Open University.
Berrill Building to St Michael's Church
The first church on this site was built in 1189. At this time the area was 'walled' or fenced, giving it the name 'Walton'. The church was thoroughly restored in 1861 and again in the 1970s.
The church and churchyard contain a number of gravestones and memorials to the families that have resided in Walton Hall over the years. The oldest memorial inside the church is to Elizabeth Pyxx who died from plague aged 10 in 1617, who is believed to have been the daughter of the then Rector of Walton, William Pyxx.
When the University moved onto the campus the church was dilapidated. The last parish service was held there in 1974. The Open University leased the building and undertook a programme of extensive restoration and the church reopened with a concert in 1978.
Several staff of The Open University have been buried in the churchyard, including the University's first Secretary Anastasios Christodoulou.
The building is now frequently used for University clubs, choir rehearsals and performances, exhibitions and other functions.
Info from historicengland.org.uk
Former parish church, now the University church and recital room. Mainly C14, with slightly later S. porch, early C16 nave roof. Restored 1861. Rubble limestone with some greensand stone. The tower has two stages with greensand-stone quoins, diagonal buttresses and battlemented parapet. The nave parapet is over a string with corbel heads and nave and chancel are buttressed between bays. All windows have good and varied curvilinear tracery. In the chancel are restored sedilia and a priest's door on the S. wall. The nave has 4 bays, a piscina at the E. end of the S. wall and a tall plain tower arch. To the north of the chancel arch is a staircase to the rood-loft. The C14 octagonal font has been restored. Hatchments hang in the nave. Monuments: On N. wall of chancel a wall monument to Bartholomew Beale, d.1660, and Katherine Beale, d. 1667. An inscription panel with two niches over divided by a plain pilaster. Each niche has a scroll head and base and an engaged bust he to LH, and she to RH. This part is flanked by black Corinthian columns with white caps and bases supporting entablature with black marble frieze, broken segmental pediment and central cartouche of arms. Below the inscription panel is a moulding carried forward under columns which are supported on carved scroll brackets with angels' heads. This monument was erected by their sons, Charles and Henry in 1672. Charles was the husband of Mary Beale, the painter, who died in 1697 and was a pupil of Lely. Adjoining is a small incised brass with rhymed inscription to Elizabeth Pyxe, 1617. On the S. wall is a late C18- early C19 monument to members of the Pinfold family. On S. wall of nave. Sir Thomas Pinfold, Knt., L.L.D. Kings Advocate, Chancellor of Peterborough, etc., d.1701, by Nollekens. An inscription panel on flat brackets with central cartouche of arms between and a tall black pyramidal top with white portrait medallion and ribbons over a trophy of books and rolls.
St Michael's of the Open University 25Feb21 b
Name: ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Designation Type: Listing
Grade: II*
List UID: 1160855
Some info from the Open University.
Berrill Building to St Michael's Church
The first church on this site was built in 1189. At this time the area was 'walled' or fenced, giving it the name 'Walton'. The church was thoroughly restored in 1861 and again in the 1970s.
The church and churchyard contain a number of gravestones and memorials to the families that have resided in Walton Hall over the years. The oldest memorial inside the church is to Elizabeth Pyxx who died from plague aged 10 in 1617, who is believed to have been the daughter of the then Rector of Walton, William Pyxx.
When the University moved onto the campus the church was dilapidated. The last parish service was held there in 1974. The Open University leased the building and undertook a programme of extensive restoration and the church reopened with a concert in 1978.
Several staff of The Open University have been buried in the churchyard, including the University's first Secretary Anastasios Christodoulou.
The building is now frequently used for University clubs, choir rehearsals and performances, exhibitions and other functions.
Info from historicengland.org.uk
Former parish church, now the University church and recital room. Mainly C14, with slightly later S. porch, early C16 nave roof. Restored 1861. Rubble limestone with some greensand stone. The tower has two stages with greensand-stone quoins, diagonal buttresses and battlemented parapet. The nave parapet is over a string with corbel heads and nave and chancel are buttressed between bays. All windows have good and varied curvilinear tracery. In the chancel are restored sedilia and a priest's door on the S. wall. The nave has 4 bays, a piscina at the E. end of the S. wall and a tall plain tower arch. To the north of the chancel arch is a staircase to the rood-loft. The C14 octagonal font has been restored. Hatchments hang in the nave. Monuments: On N. wall of chancel a wall monument to Bartholomew Beale, d.1660, and Katherine Beale, d. 1667. An inscription panel with two niches over divided by a plain pilaster. Each niche has a scroll head and base and an engaged bust he to LH, and she to RH. This part is flanked by black Corinthian columns with white caps and bases supporting entablature with black marble frieze, broken segmental pediment and central cartouche of arms. Below the inscription panel is a moulding carried forward under columns which are supported on carved scroll brackets with angels' heads. This monument was erected by their sons, Charles and Henry in 1672. Charles was the husband of Mary Beale, the painter, who died in 1697 and was a pupil of Lely. Adjoining is a small incised brass with rhymed inscription to Elizabeth Pyxe, 1617. On the S. wall is a late C18- early C19 monument to members of the Pinfold family. On S. wall of nave. Sir Thomas Pinfold, Knt., L.L.D. Kings Advocate, Chancellor of Peterborough, etc., d.1701, by Nollekens. An inscription panel on flat brackets with central cartouche of arms between and a tall black pyramidal top with white portrait medallion and ribbons over a trophy of books and rolls.