SERVICES
As one of five parishes in the United Benefice, our Sunday services vary. During the interregnum, when services are scheduled, they are: Holy Communion at 10am; Family Service at 10am aimed at children with activities and refreshments at half-time; and Evensong at 6pm taken by the lay band. We use Order One in Traditional Language (2000) for all Holy Communions.
COMMUNITY
Social events, such as the Fayre, barn dances, Lenten soup lunches and concerts are arranged by the PCC to incorporate more people from the village into church events. Close relations are kept with the United Reformed Church, Chapel Lane, Badby, and the village school.
THE BUILDING
The main structure dates from early C14. The magnificent clerestory was added in C15. The tower was rebuilt in C18. There was a very major restoration in the late C19. A kitchen and toilet were added as a ‘north porch’ in the late C20.
. TOWER
The tower was rebuilt in 1707-9. The height from its base to the top of the pinnacles is 72ft. Its solid floor is 6ft above the nave floor.
. BELLS
The rotten diagonal oak frame was replaced with a steel and iron version with a sixth bell added by John Taylor, Loughborough in 1931-2. The cracked 4th bell was replaced in 2000. The bells are rung in the full-circle English manner for most services, with practices every Wednesday.
. CLOCK
Made in 1712, drives one clock face. The hourly clock chimes & daytime quarter chimes are radio-controlled and independent of the clock.
. OUTSIDE
The replacement nave gable cross was fitted in 2001 to mark the Millennium. The churchyard was closed for burials in 1886. The parish cemetery is in Brookside Lane.
INCUMBENTS
The first rector of Badby with Newnham, appointed in mid C13, was Henry de Cokenato. From 1285 appointments were made by Evesham Abbey. After its dissolution, appointments were made by Christ Church Oxford until 1919.
The United Benefice of Badby with Newnham and Charwelton with Fawsley and Preston Capes was formed in 1990. Revd Sue Faulkner will be licensed on November 6, 2010, two years after Revd Michael Petitt left.
RECORDS
Parish registers (baptisms, marriages and burials) from 1655 and other historical documents and records are held in Northamptonshire Record Office, Wootton Park, Mereway, Northampton NN4 8BQ. 01604 762129.
"A History of Badby Church" (A5 44pp) is available at the church for £3. "A Quick Guide to Badby Church" leaflet is available free in English or French.