St Rumbald
Stoke Doyle, Northamptonshire
In 1722 a fine early Georgian church was erected to the design of Thomas Eayre of Kettering (1691-1757), surveyor, clock maker, and bell founder (the bells here are by him as well).
This sumptuous tractarian church was erected in 1848 through their munificence, designed by John Macduff Derick and was further enhanced by Sir Ninian Comper around 1900.
The rood screen is topped by three coats of arms, those of the Bishop of Peterborough, the Royal Family in London and the Watts Russell Family at Biggin Hall. Derick seems to have incorporated some misericords which were formerly at Fotheringhay.
For those who admire polychrome Victorian churches, this is a must, but for others the single tomb may not be sufficient to take them away from the 17th or 18th centuries.
On the north aisle you will find the Watts Russell Chapel created in 1926 in the Wren-Naissance style. In its fittings it owes a great deal to Christopher Wren's London churches. It is I think unique in the county's parish churches, though there is similar work in the Cathedral. Like Wren’s monument in St Pauls, though if you want a grander memorial to the family look around you.
