This is a building that today dates chiefly from 1860, when the aisled nave, chancel and S. chapel were all reconstructed by Rhode Hawkins, in a competent but unremarkable geometric style that Pevsner did not even deign to mention.  It is certainly true, however, that the significant work lies entirely in the late Saxon tower and in the earlier Saxon fragments that have been preserved in different places.

 

First, then, the tower (photographed from the southeast in the photograph, left), which is built in three unbuttressed stages, rising to two-light bell-openings with central, recessed mullions, like those at Appleton-le-Street and St. Bene’t’s church in Cambridge. The massive W. doorway is formed by an arch of two orders, the outer bearing a great roll that continues down the jambs as shafts of the same diameter. The tower arch to the nave is deep and unmoulded, and is punctuated only by small projecting abaci.  The masonry consists of massive stone blocks with no real evidence of long and short work. It could date from around the time of the Conquest or possibly even later, for some work was certainly done by Saxon builders under Norman oversight in the later eleventh century.

 

Yet be that as it may, still more important than the tower at Hovingham is the Saxon sculpture it preserves, most notably the panel of c. 800 (shown below) which now forms the reredos in the S. aisle.  It was found in the tower masonry in 1924 and moved to this position, so it is very worn, but it is significant because of its early date, deduced in part by its general similarity to the Hedda Stone in Peterborough Cathedral.  Eight figures are depicted beneath round arches and above a panel of entwined vine leaves.  The outermost figures are both angels, facing towards the centre, while the second from the left would appear to be St. Mary, receiving the Gabriel’s message.  Unfortunately, the other figures are damaged beyond recognition.

 

Also removed from the walls of the tower in 1924, was the fragment of a Viking cross, now given a prominent place in the chancel. This displays intertwined ribbon beasts and strapwork, and may be as late as c. 1000.  Still in the tower walls, however, are two crosses, one above the S. bell-openings, which is perhaps tenth century work, and one in the W. wall above the doorway (shown in the thumbnail, right), which it has been suggested could date from as early as c. 680 to judge by its similarity with St. Cuthbert’s (d. 687) pectoral cross.

 

Finally, also to be seen in the church are some later mediaeval features, re-used by Rhode Hawkins in his reconstruction.  The most notable of these is the Norman-Transitional S. doorway, with two flat-chamfered orders to the arch and one order of shafts, of which that on the left has a waterleaf capital. The chancel retains two restored Norman windows and one partially renewed lancet in the N. wall.