Thaxted Church

The parish church in Thaxted is one of the grandest and most beautiful churches you'll find anywhere in Britain. It stands on a low hill and soars above the town from whichever direction you approach it. Shall we take a look inside?

Once inside there's not much a snapper-in-a-hurry can do to do it justice. But we'll try.

The church was begun in 1340 but largely dates from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and has a tall and narrow nave with wider side aisles.

The above two photos each show part of the rather remarkable pulpit which dates from 1680. It deserves a picture of its own...

Before I came I'd done a little research and knew that there was a rather special tapestry to be seen....

It's rather frayed and faded, as it has every right to be, having been made in Flanders in the sixteenth century.

There's also a candelabra that I wanted to see....

Thaxted's website describes it succinctly:

The Stellar, the great star-shaped candelabra which hangs in the cross-aisle, was designed by the architect, Randall Wells. It was originally designed for St Mary’s Church, Primrose Hill, London NW3, but was never erected there. It has been in Thaxted Church since 1910 and tells the Christmas story, Matthew 1. 1-17. There are 42 lights made up of 3 x 14. There were 14 generations from Abraham to King David, 14 generations from King David to the Flight into Egypt, and 14 generations from the Flight into Egypt to the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The ball below the 42 lights symbolises the world; therefore, Jesus, the Light of the World.

But what a surprise to see something like this in a church....

Might this be something to do with the colourful Rev Conrad Noel? Or one of his equally eccentric successors?

Then there's this modern but traditional piece of carving...

And an older example....

This is the font cover, part of a carved wooden fifteenth century font case which completely hides the font itself.

And an enormous organ....

This is the Lincoln Organ which was played by Gustav Holst during his time living in the town. 

What else? Well, a good deal that I overlooked or failed to photograph. But I see that the sun is shining in through the windows...

So lets just take one more look up the nave towards the chancel....

Then go outside into the sunshine once more...

Take care. 
And I ought to share this with you all - a comment which turned up on a fairly recent post and appears to be addressed to all of us:

Hi John, (& everyone)
I'm just writing to say thanks for your fantastic review of The Great British Sculpture Show 2014! Andy and I are thrilled with the response from your audience and the public in general - we really wanted to create an exhibition that was both inspiring and fun as well as displaying the talent and craftsmanship of our artists to create sculptures that have a real 'wow' factor! 

Thank you. Diane Coates, Co-curator of The Great British Sculpture Show.