St Mary Magdalene, Ecton

St Mary Magdalene is a Grade I Church of England parish church on Church Way, Ecton, Northamptonshire, in the Diocese of Peterborough: a medieval aisled church with a Perpendicular tower top and a notable series of Palmer, Whalley and Isted monuments.

Overview

Historic England lists a thirteenth-, fourteenth- and nineteenth-century church of squared coursed lias and limestone ashlar with a lead roof: aisled nave and chancel, west tower and north and south porches. The four-stage west tower has a Decorated west door and a Perpendicular limestone-ashlar belfry stage with a quatrefoil parapet, gargoyles and pinnacles. The interior has a four-bay thirteenth-century nave arcade of double-chamfered arches. Fittings include an early nineteenth-century panelled pulpit and box pews, a late seventeenth-century communion rail, and a circular font on a nineteenth-century base. Monuments include work by Rysbrack to John Palmer (erected 1732 and another of 1761) and a tablet by Rossi to Catherine Whalley (d.1817). The Victoria County History describes a mainly thirteenth-century fabric that may have developed from a twelfth-century aisleless church; the north porch buttress is inscribed 1456; the north chapel was rebuilt in 1890 and the south chapel in 1908. Benjamin Franklin’s family lived in the parish for centuries; his father was born at Ecton.

The church is normally locked; contact the benefice to arrange a visit.

Further Information

• Historic England list entry 1294128
• VCH Northamptonshire: Ecton
• GDWE Benefice