External Sepulchre
An unusual feature of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is an external supulchral recess built into the outer south wall of the Round just west of the south entrance porch. It is a simple arched recess measuring about
8 feet 5 inches (2.57m) wide and sunk 2 ft 8 ins (0.81m) into the wall:
Sketch of the exernal sepulchre from
The Revds J.C. Cox & R.M. Serjeantson's 1897 book:
A History of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Northampton
The external sepulchre in 2009
Part of the 'Round' into which the external sepulchre was built
Arch detail
left hand side
(new stonework)
Arch detail
right hand side
(old stonework)
Cox and Serjeantson state:
We think there can be no doubt that this niched receptacle, was here
constructed at the time when the tower and spire were built (circa 1400)
for the burial of the munificent benefactor,
who made such extensive alterations and improvements at that date.
Contact
Office: Church Lane
Northampton, NN1 3NL
Tel: 01604 627988
Vicar: 01604 230316
Restoration Trust:
Tel: 01604 754782