St James the Apostle
Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire
A late 13th and early 14th century gothic church with interventions in the 18th century including the pulpit, and in the 19th century the stained glass.
For many centuries the Robinson family have been the principal landowners in Cranford. They are the descendants of Sir John Robinson whose title was bestowed upon him by King Charles II after he had promoted the King's restoration in 1660.
Sumptuous memorials to 300 years of the Robinson family fill the south chapel of the church and there are also memorial brasses to various Fosbrokes, who were here for three earlier centuries. Other features of note include a plain octagonal 15th century font with carved wooden 17th century lid, and a 19th century pulpit which incorporates three important carved panels of 16th century Renaissance date, depicting Christ washing his disciples' feet, the Last Supper and the Betrayal.
By the 1960s, St Andrew’s needed extensive repairs and over the succeeding decades, much was done to keep the church fabric intact. However, in 1996, the church passed into the care of The Churches Conservation Trust.
