The noble edifice was cruciform in plan, with a nave and aisles (all that now remain), choir, and central tower. The spring of one of the great arches upon which this latter stood, is plainly visible at the present east end. This tower fell in 1552, doubtless owing to the destruction of the choir, and the present western tower was erected about five years later out of the fragments. The nave consists of seven bays, and is 109 feet long from east to west, by 55 feet wide, and from the floor to the beautifully painted ceiling, the work of Sir E. J. Poynter, is a height of 52 feet. Upon the great pillars that support the arches will be noticed the spiral and chevron indenting, originally filled with chased and gilt metal. In some places the rivet holes are still discernible. The aisles were originally vaulted, and the triforium passage above was lighted by the circular windows that will be noticed. There are three tiers of arches: the nave or arcade, the triforium, and the clerestory. The Rev. J. H. Stamp, in his excellent little history of Waltham, says of the plan and design of the church that whilst the cruciform plan was significant of Christ crucified, the twelve pillars represented the apostles, and the three tiers of arches the Holy Trinity.
[Picture: The interior of the Abbey Church, Waltham. Drawn by Duncan Moul]
The wonderful grandeur and nobility of the interior can well be appreciated by standing just within the tower and viewing the “long-drawn aisles” through the great western arch. This arch formed part of the scheme of restoration and rebuilding which took place at the latter end of the thirteenth century, when the original Norman doorway was removed and a grand Decorated west front substituted. This had two turrets on each side, terminating in octagonal pinnacles of fine proportions and design, and a beautiful Decorated window appears to have been inserted over the arch. Unfortunately, the present tower obscures much of this thirteenth century work. With this scheme of rebuilding, which was instigated by Abbot Reginald and carried out by his successors, Abbots Hugh and Robert, is associated a curious and unfortunate defacement or destruction of a portion of the beautiful Norman arcading. There will be noticed on either side of the church, near the west end, a high Gothic arch, sadly out of harmony with the remaining arcading. It is said that the architect who was first engaged upon the restoration work was demented, and set about transforming the architectural character of the church. He removed the elegant filling-in of the triforium and cut away the lower Norman arches, and after having thus mutilated two tiers of arches on each side, began upon the third tier on the north side, but was happily stopped in his crazy efforts by the interference of the abbot, and his peremptory dismissal. It is to his successor that we owe the beautiful western doorway and front. This restoration scheme also included the adornment of the interior with beautiful frescoes, signs of which are still slightly visible on one or two of the arches.