Stevington, Bedfordshire

Description
Stevington or Steventon, a parish, with a village, in Bedfordshire, on the river Ouse, 2 miles WNW of Oakley station on the M.R., and 5 NW of Bedford. It has a post office under Bedford; money order office, Pavenham; telegraph office, Turvey. Acreage, 1821; population, 601. There is a parish council consisting of seven members. The manor belongs to the Alston family. Pillow lace is made, and rush-plaiting is carried on. A remarkable spring, known as the Holy Well, issues from a circular-headed archway under the churchyard walls, and runs into the river. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ely; net value, £175 with residence. Patron, the Duke of Bedford. The church is an ancient building of stone in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, N and S porches, and a tower, part of which is Saxon. The chancel had formerly some lateral chapels, but these are now in ruins. There are Baptist and Primitive Methodist chapels, and almshouses. An ancient cross stands in the centre of the village.