St Anthony
Oundle, Northamptonshire
It is not known when Oundle School was founded but it was reendowed in 1556 by William Laxton, Master of The Grocers Company and Lord Mayor of London.
The new church was a classical box with large arched windows flanking its sides and a splendid venetian window at the east end. The pedimented porch is pleasantly rusticated and the well proportioned tower is topped by obelisks. Behind these endeavours lie the figures of Sir Edward Ward (1638-1714) Chief Baron of The Exchequer to William lll and Queen Anne, who bought the manor here in 1697 and his son, another Edward.
In the north chapel you will find a splendid early sculptural essay by the young Michael Rysbrack. Here the elderly judge in robes and superbly chiselled full bottom wig is still at his books while straddling an eternal mattress.
Also contemporary with the church are the reredos, communion rails, pulpit and benches. Here you get a very pure vision of the Anglican church of the early 18th century. The most notable later accretion is Chantrey’s tomb to Mrs Roberts (d1819). For those searching for the Ward’s mansion nothing here remains, its gates though are at East Haddon Hall.
