Church of St Mary the Virgin, Great Brington

The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Great Brington is a parish church in a village in Northamptonshire, in the English Midlands, a few miles from Northampton. It is best known as the burial place of the Spencer family, one of England's most prominent aristocratic dynasties.

Why visit?

The church is a small treasury of funerary sculpture. The Spencer chapel holds the remains of, or memorials to, twenty generations of the family, down to the 8th Earl Spencer, who died in 1991. For anyone interested in history, architecture or genealogy it is one of the more rewarding stops in the region, and it is quiet and far from the crowds.

Who built the Spencer chapel?

The family chapel is traced to Sir John Spencer, who acquired the local estate and the patronage of the parish in the early 16th century. He rebuilt the chancel and began the adjoining funerary chapel. He died in 1522 and was buried in the new chapel. Its design is probably credited to Thomas Heritage. The fan vaulting is a deliberate imitation of the vault in Henry VII's chapel at Westminster Abbey. In 1846 the chapel interior was heavily altered by the architect Edward Blore.

What tombs can you see?

The Spencer monuments span the early 17th century to the 19th. Named sculptors include Jasper Hollemans, Nicholas Stone and John Stone, along with leading neoclassical names such as Nollekens, Flaxman and Chantrey. Look out for the tomb of Robert, 1st Baron Spencer, and his wife Margaret, which Historic England has photographed.

The Washington connection

The church holds the tomb slab of Laurence Washington, an ancestor of George Washington, the first president of the United States. His younger brother Robert is buried here too. This draws visitors with an interest in American history as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church connected to the Spencer family? Yes. It has been the family's burial place since the 16th century, with a chapel full of monuments.

Which Washingtons are buried here? Laurence Washington, ancestor of George Washington, and his brother Robert.

When was the Spencer chapel built? Sir John Spencer began it before his death in 1522; it was substantially remodelled in 1846.

Is it suitable for a short visit? Yes. It is a modest village church, so a visit usually takes about an hour, especially if you want to study the tombs in the chapel. Check opening times beforehand, since parish churches are sometimes open only on limited days.

The surroundings

Great Brington sits close to the Althorp estate, long associated with the Spencers, so the church is often combined with a tour of the area. The village has the typical Northamptonshire character, with local stone houses and peaceful lanes, and the church is a natural focus for a stroll. Inside, medieval architecture meets funerary sculpture from successive eras, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in church monuments and the history of the English aristocracy.