Record Details

NHER Number:2643
Type of record:Building
Name:St Mary's Chapel

Summary

Constructed in 1835 of red brick, St Mary's chapel was made to serve Oxburgh Hall, whose grounds it stands within. Built in Gothic Revival style, the beauty of the chapel is in the understated nature of its exterior, which stands in sharp contrast to the romantic Hall, which underwent renovation during the same period. Inside, the beautiful Antwerp triptych, built in the 19th century from various 16th-century pieces, dominates the small chapel.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TF 7414 0126
Map Sheet:TF70SW
Parish:OXBOROUGH, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

June 1960. Listed, Grade II*.

May 1978. Field Observation.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU).
Built in 1835, red and white brick Gothic Revival style, said to be by Pugin, the architect responsible for the reconstruction of Oxburgh Hall during the same period, but poor for him if it is. Contains Antwerp retable of around 1525, 17th century foreign stalls, two Flemish or French communion rails, one of which is in the gallery, medieval and 16th century English and foreign stained glass. 19th century monuments, two hatchments. Roof in poor state.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 25 May 1978. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 8 May 2023.

The building is said in (S2) to have been constructed of bricks removed from demolished cottages in the village. The bricks are certainly old, some seem late medieval, but the number may suggest that some came from parts of the Hall during restoration.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 23 August 1982. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 8 May 2023.

6 October 1993. NLA air photography.
Chapel to be clearly seen in most of photographs.
H. Clare, 1 February 2001.

Church is various described as 'The Roman Catholic Church at Oxburgh', 'St Mary's Church', 'Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Margaret' (S3), 'Church of St Margaret and Our Lady' (S4) and 'Our Lady and St Margaret' (S5).
R. Fillery-Travis (NLA), November 2006

For detailed descriptions of the foreign woodwork (and a reredos now used as a mantelpiece in the Hall itself) see (S6).
E. Rose (NLA), 12 April 2007.

Excerpt of current Listing Description:
"Roman Catholic private chapel. Completed in 1838. Later additions. Attributed to A.W.N. Pugin. Re-used early brick; additions in ashlar and gault brick. Slate roofs. Aisleless nave with polygonal apse not oriented, (described, however, as if it were). Early Pointed style. Six bays of plain lancet windows with chamfered reveals. Staged buttresses at each bay division including around the five-sided apse. West wall with a later traceried three-light window inserted into an original opening. Small doorway with hood mould and a rendered bellcote to gable peak. Ashlar south chapel of c.1865 in late medieval style with a traceried oculus to east, a three-light traceried gable window and a two-light west window. Low northern addition in gault brick with three gables - two pertaining to vestry and one to porch.
Interior: Arch braced roof with wall posts supported by crowned angels carrying shields. South chapel contains a carved marble effigy of the sixth baronet (Sir Henry Richard Paston-Bedingfeld). Imported fittings including an elaborate painted and carved 17th-century Flemish altar with reredos, 17th-century carved railings and medieval glass."
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S3) for the full listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 May 2023.

Monument Types

  • CHAPEL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

  • TRIPTYCH (RELIGIOUS) (Medieval to 21st Century - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)

Protected Status

  • Listed Building

Sources and further reading

---Aerial Photograph: TF 7401/ ABU, ABX-ACA.
---Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1997. TF 7401ACJ - ACN, ACT - ACU.
---Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1997. TF 7401ADQ - AEC.
---Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1996. TF 7401ACB - ACH; TF 7300R - S.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 70 SW 36 [3].
<S1>Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
<S2>Publication: National Trust Guide To Oxburgh Hall.
<S3>Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1342587.
<S4>Website: Knott, S.. 2005. Oxburgh Hall chapel of St Margaret and Our Lady, Oxborough. http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/oxboroughhall/oxboroughhall.htm. 24 November 2006.
<S5>Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 583-584.
<S6>Monograph: Tracey, C.. 2001. Continental church furniture in England: a traffic in piety.. pp 154-5. pp 121, 131.

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