Barnby-in-the-Willows All Saints

Archaeology

Exterior

West face
of tower

The present church was evidently built in the 13th century with additions made in the 15th century and probably the 17th century; it was restored in the 19th century.  It is built of coursed rubble, which is rendered in parts with an ashlar tower and porches and some ashlar to the aisles. It has lead roofs with a segmental parapet at the east end. It has a tower, nave with north and south aisles, north and south porches, and a chancel.

The church is buttressed and with the exception of the chancel and north aisle south of the porch, is set on a plinth. The diagonally buttressed 15th century single-stage tower has a string course over the plinth. The tower is embattled with four crocketed pinnacles and guttering running under.

North porch

The 15th century gabled and coped north porch has three crocketed pinnacles and three gargoyles with single gargoyles to the east and west walls. The central doorway has a moulded arch over which there is a hoodmould and label stops, and is flanked by single niches each with an ogee arch.

The chancel, with probably 17th century fenestration, has a tall two-light arched transom and mullion window with tracery and stops at either end of the transom.

Either side of the north doorway are two engaged columns with capitals, the inner having damaged fleuron decoration, supporting imposts with moulded arch, hood mould and label stops.

A string course runs around the chancel, under the windows, but on a level with the transom of the transom and mullioned window.

The south aisle has been encased in 19th century ashlar.

North porch
door

The interior door of the north porch has an elaborate blind traceried 15th century door, with imposts supporting a chamfered arch and hood mould with label stops over.

Interior

Nave and tower arch Nave looking east

The aisles are separated from the nave by three bays of 13th century alternating two circular and one octagonal pier with plain moulded capitals, chamfered arches, hood moulds and label stops to nave side only. There is a 13th century tower arch.

Chancel and nave are separated by a chamfered arch with octagonal piers and pin capitals, the chancel side has label stops. In the chancel is a corresponding string course to the exterior.

Medieval Cross Slab

Small (0.78 m long) slab currently propped up against the external face of the north wall of the north aisle to the east of the porch. Relief design, round-leaf bracelet cross, with big round leaves and small pointed buds, rising from stepped base. Probably later 12th century.

Description and drawing of the cross slab courtesy of Peter Ryder.