St. Andrew, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
Description
The parish church of St. Andrew is an edifice of sandstone, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave of four bays, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower, rebuilt in 1720, and containing a clock and 8 bells: the old bells were rehung and 3 new ones added in 1913: the chancel, rebuilt in 1467, by John Ruding, retains its piscina and sedilia for three priests, but the former has no basin and is now used as a credence table; a beautiful altar-piece, representing the Last Supper was presented by Charles Barnett esq. in 1865: a reredos was added in 1877: there are several brasses, one of which, to John Ruding, a former archdeacon of Bedford, has unfortunately been much mutilated, and the representation of an angel conversing with Death has disappeared: the lofty south porch, now much dilapidated, has interlaced stone vaulting, and a parvise above, formerly used as a school and reached from the exterior by a spiral stone stair: the outer doorway has an ogival arch, surmounted by a carved representation of the Crucifixion: in the church is a marble memorial to Thomas Bromsall, d. 1706, and there are mural tablets to Harriet, daughter of Admiral Sir Richard King and wife of Brigadier-General Charles Barnet, and to Thomas McGrath F.R.C.P.Edin. and his wife: the stained east window was erected in 1877 to Charles Barnett esq. of Stratton Park, and there are other memorial windows to Robert Lindsell esq. and Frances, his wife, to Mrs. Lindsell, of Fairfield, C. Fitzroy Barnett esq. of Stratton Park, and to George J. Barnett, d. 1892: the chancel has been enlarged by the Rev. Henry Thellusson Wood M.A. vicar here, 1884-9: the fine reredos of Venetian mosaic was designed by Mr. Withers, architect, of London: in 1892 a new organ was added at a cost of £680, raised by public subscription: the church was restored in 1832, and more completely in 1871, and now affords sittings for 800 persons.
Church Records
The parish register dates from the year 1670