Austerfield

St Helena

Newark Archdeaconry

Bassetlaw and Bawtry Deanery

Introduction

This is the site of the Synod of Austerfield AD702.

The church was originally a Norman chapel-of-ease to Blyth Priory, built by John de Buisli in the 12th century. It was separated from Blyth in 1858.

Built of rubble and dressed magnesian limestone, consisting of 3-bay nave and 1-bay chancel separated by a coeval round arch, south porch, 2-bell west turret, north aisle and vestry, It was restored and extended by C Hodgson in 1897-8 when the north aisle and north vestry were added.

Features from the 12th century can be seen in the chancel arch, the well preserved north arcade, the reset door in the north aisle and the unrestored south doorway with its tympanum bearing a carved dragon. There are Perpendicular windows of the 14th century in the nave, north aisle and chancel and two lancets at the west end. There is a rustic Jacobean communion rail with turned balusters. The brick porch was added in 1835 when new pews were installed. The piers are round and the central one has a rare sheela-na-gig. The font has a tapered cylindrical bowl on a 19th century pedestal.

There is some late 19th century stained glass by Kempe and a window of Bradford and the Mayflower installed in 1992.

In 1897 the north aisle was built in memory of William Bradford. He lived in Austerfield and worshipped here and at Babworth. He was one of the Separatists who sailed in the Mayflower in 1620 and became Governor of New Plymouth.

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