Plumpton is a small hamlet in rural Northamptonshire. It has seen a steady decline in residents from the early 19th century. In 1831 there were14 houses with a total of 75 residents. The church must have been full most Sundays! By 1891 there were 9 houses of which 3 were empty and 18 residents. By the late 20th century the church had fallen into virtual disuse and it was decided that the Church of England would sell it in 1994.
A group of local people decided to rescue the church. They formed a charitable trust and purchased the church in 1997. The Plumpton Trust is a registered charity ( no:1050414) which is supported through the 'Friends of Plumpton'. This group raise money and carry out maintenance and renovations while preserving the simple beauty of the building.
Three generations of the Edmunds family were associated with this church from 1788 to 1885 as churchwardens. The first was William Edmunds (1747-1837). He had purchased the title of lord of the manor jointly with John Aris of Oakley Bank, Plumpton in 1810 and lived at the manor house. He had become the churchwarden in 1788. His son William (1784-1826) became churchwarden in 1822. This father and son were instrumental in the rebuilding of the church in 1822 with the Rev.B.Hill. A donation of £50 was given by the Principal and fellows of Jesus College, Oxford. A stone plaque over the entrance porch marks the rebuilding of the church. The last William Edmunds (1813-1885) was churchwarden in 1885.
The church itself is small with box pews. There is a 17th century font and a marble memorial from 1683 on the wall. It is a beautiful example of a Georgian country church.
The churchyard is kept mown and there are a number of graves of both the Edmunds and Aris families. The Edmunds family tomb contains the remains of the William Edmunds, his son and wife Elizabeth and their daughter Charlotte. The inscriptions read, (on the front)
..... 'In memory of William Edmunds who departed this life Jan 28 1826 aged 41 years' and 'In memory of Eliz.th Edmunds relict of the late Mr.William Edmunds who departed this life Jany.1st.1864 aged 75 years.' The next inscription (on the end) 'In memory of William, Eldest son of William Edmunds who died May 16th 1885 aged 71 years'. The next inscription reads (at the other end), 'In memory of Charlotte, daughter of William Edmunds who departed this life Jan 6th 1836, aged 25 years'.
The church has not been deconsecrated and is used occasionally through the year.
