At first glance the church at Denton might look medieval but in fact all of it, apart from the 13th century tower, was rebuilt in 1827/28 by Charles Squirhill.
Denton, Northamptonshire
He created a rather plain preaching box inside with a gallery.
This rather dull space was transformed in the latter part of the 20th century when the local artist Henry Bird (1909-2000) created a series of splendid, if rather unlikely, wall decorations. In effect he created a series of tableaux, taking as his subjects, amongst others, The Garden of Gethsemane, Moses and the Burning Bush and the Flight into Egypt. These are interspersed with large single figures which include St Margaret herself as well as St Dorothea and St Werberg.
These transform the building as they are life size and surrounded by gothic stencil work. Bird was a well respected theatrical scene painter and anybody attending the Theatre Royal in Northampton will be familiar with his enchanting safety curtain. Denton was his largest project and his masterpiece. It makes an unusual but a well worthwhile detour.
Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire
The church which lies adjacent to the House but which it antedates by some 400 years, must have been used by the Bishops of Coventry whose seat this was before the advent of the Comptons in the 16th century.
Whiston, Northamptonshire
Built to the orders of one man, Anthony Catesby (1500-1554) of the significant Northamptonshire Catholic family whose main seat was at Ashby St Ledger and were later famous for their involvement in the Gunpowder Plot.
Easton Maudit, Northamptonshire
Lord Alwyne's Minton tiles on the floor are immediately apparent, but you do not come here for the architecture, which is nothing out of the ordinary, but rather for the tombs.
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