The church at Saxondale was mentioned in DB. It became the property of Shelford Priory but the canons "made little provision for it". At the Dissolution, the church came to the Stanhopes and on the pretext that it was only a chapel-of-ease they pulled it down to save the cost of repair. Stone coffins have been taken for use as troughs in the locality. (1)
The church was still standing in 1552. Pre-reformation wills indicate that it was dedicated to St Martin. Stone coffins and skeletons have been found at several times. (2)
In 1864 the church is said to have stood at the back of Mr John Horsepool's house, its site occupied by a large barn adjoining the manure and stack yards. In c 1882 the stackyard was occupied by Mr Cupit; there were worked stones from the church on Mr Strong's farm and the font was in the yard of Shelford Lodge but is now at Carlton Church probably to be placed in a church to be erected on the Porchester Estate nearby. (2) (3) (4)
A reference to Ro stone coffins found at Saxondale more probably refers to coffins from the church. (7)
The font, a C14 example, is now at St Cyprian's Church, Lancaster Road, Carlton Hill, Nottm. (8)
The site of the barn and stackyard, mentioned by (3), was indicated by Mr W Cupit of Lodge Farm (a descendant of the Mr Cupit referred to). (9) (10)
See L5474 for nearby finds, M808 for shrunken village, L9381 for font.

<1> Throsby J, 1790, Thoroton's History of Notts Vol 1, pp 285- (Published document). SNT1345.

<2> Godfrey JT, 1907, Churches of Nottinghamshire - Hundred of Bingham, pp 432- (Published document). SNT716.

<3> White, 1864, Directory of Notts, p 473 (Published document). SNT1418.

<4> Brodhurst Rev F, MS Notebook (Unpublished document). SNT522.

Other Refs: Heath, Derbys

<5> Thoroton Society, 1942, TTS, p 72 (Published document). SNT359.

<6> Briscoe JP, 1884, Old Notts, pp 84-5 (Published document). SNT521.

<7> VCH, 1910, Notts, p 33 (Published document). SNT1384.

<8> Houldsworth HO, Hon Corr (Personal comment). SNT789.

<9> Harper FR, 1960, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT746.

<10> Cupit W, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT598.