All Saints church, Lamport, Northamptonshire
All Saints church, Lamport

All Saints church stands almost directly opposite the historic house of Lamport Hall, home of the Isham family for over 400 years. Indeed, the main interest here is a series of memorials to members of the Isham family, which cover the gamut from subdued to grandiose.

All Saints (sometimes referred to as All Hallows) dates to the 12th century, with additions in the 13th century and major alterations in the 17th-19th centuries. It is built of limestone ashlar and lias stone beneath a lead roof.

The design is traditional, with a west tower, nave with aisle, chancel, and south chapel. Beginning in 1737 a major rebuilding under William Smith of Warwick introduced classical pilasters and an Italianate east window.

The Isham chapel
The Isham chapel

The oldest part of the buildings seems to be the lower section of the tower, which shows the round-headed, narrow windows with deep splays that you'd associate with the Norman period. The upper section of the tower, the tower arch, and the nave arcades date to the following century.

Much of the church interior is the work of Sir Justinian Isham, the 2nd Baronet of Lamport Hall, who built the chancel in 1652 and 20 years later had a chapel tacked onto the north side of the chancel as a place of burial for members of the Isham family.

Sir Justinian's great-grandson, another Justinian, travelled extensively in Italy and was heavily influenced by the classical architecture he saw there. When Sir Justinian died in 1736 he left money in his will to remodel the 17th-century interiors in Italianate style. The result is elegant without being overpowering, though it does overshadow the medieval bits of All Saints.

Bust of Sir Justinian Isham (d. 1736)
Bust of Sir Justinian Isham

The most ornate of the Isham tombs in the chancel is that of Sir Justinian, the 5th baronet (d. 1736), with a large bust of the deceased rather overwhelming the rest of the memorial. There are wall tablets to John Isham (d. 1746) and a 19th century Isham who served as rector here.

Much earlier are brasses to John Isham (d. 1595) and his wife Elizabeth (d. 1594). Near the high altar is a small tablet to John Isham, who died as an infant in 1638.

Other features include a delicate Georgian plastered ceiling in the nave, created by John Woolston. This has three large roundels, the centre one depicting an 'eye of God' with doves. Over the chancel arch is a royal coat of arms to George II, also in plaster. The pulpit is 18th century, and the font has a wooden cover design by Victorian architect GF Bodley.

Visiting all Saints

I would call All Saints an interesting rather than a compelling historic church. The Isham memorials are well worth a look, though, and if you enjoy Georgian and Italianate church architecture then you will enjoy Lamport's church. To the best of my knowledge, the church is usually locked. I visited on a day when Lamport Hall was open and a key was available at the Hall.

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About Lamport
Address: High Street, Lamport, Northamptonshire, England, NN6 9HB
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: Opposite Lamport Hall. The church is generally locked but a key is available at the Hall when open.
Website: Lamport
Location map
OS: SP758746
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Lamport Hall - 0.1 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Brixworth, All Saints Church - 2.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens - 3 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Kelmarsh Hall - 3 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Cottesbrooke, All Saints Church - 3.1 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Coton Manor Gardens - 5.5 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating

Holdenby House Gardens - 5.7 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating

Holdenby, All Saints Church - 5.7 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating



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