Wednesday 16 December 2015

Church Matters

A much-delayed post from the church at Much Hadham. 



Here's the problem: I have a glorious day to spend outside admiring the pastoral scenery of the pretty valley of the River Ash, but somehow I not only get caught up photographing a village street but then go into an dim old building with no views out at all. On the face of it it doesn't make sense. Though when the village is Much Hadham and the building is the magnificent medieval church then it's essential viewing.



In the churchyard my eye was attracted to this simple wooden cross marking the grave, I presume, of someone who couldn't afford a stone. At one time that must have meant the majority of the population; stone being hard to come by in this part of the world.



The church door has what must be one of the most battered and ancient door-handles that I've ever seen, though amazingly when you turn it you find it still works perfectly. Believe it or not there is an even older door, dating from about 1225 AD inside the body of the church. Unfortunately a combination of poor lighting and over-optimistic camera technique has robbed you of the chance to see it.



Once inside you find yourself in something more akin to a large urban church than one in a quiet rural parish. The reason for this must be the proximity of the Bishops of London whose palace was just next door. Despite the medieval artefacts and architecture one can't help but notice a more modern feature, namely the forest of colourful kneelers all decorated in cross-stitch by members of the congregation.



My mother embroidered a few such kneelers for her local church so I know how much work is involved. Indeed I designed one for her (you do it using graph paper) and even that isn't easy.



The church has some things you wouldn't normally find in an Anglican church, such as some modern wooden carvings representing the Stations of the Cross. These are present because the building is shared with the local Catholic congregation, something which wouldn't have been contemplated in the past but is a neat solution to spread the cost of maintaining the building and using it to its full potential.



There's also a very unusual west window, the design of which is based on an etching by the sculptor Henry Moore who lived locally.



There are two of these ancient chairs which are a rare survival of church furniture from the early 14th Century. It's thought that they might be part of an old sedilia, a set of three seats for the use of the clergy, but the middle one has been removed to leave two individual chairs.

,

The lights in the nave immediately catch the eye and date from the Arts and Crafts period.


On the way out I noticed something which I should have seen on the way in....


....it's a simple joke from the Seventeenth Century telling you to mind the step. In case you don't get the joke there's a modern sign on the door telling you, less poetically, the same thing:



Take care.



21 comments:

  1. This sure is a beautiful church. I love that stained glass window. I have never seen one like it. Can you imagine all the hours added together to make those kneelers? I hate to even think about it. I enjoyed all of these...

    ReplyDelete
  2. One more interesting and informative tour from an area that must be a both a photographer's and a historian's dream. And not every church has a window based on the work of Henry Moore!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely church! I love those colorful kneelers - so many hours of work put in to create them. And your first photo is great - love how you captured the clouds above the steeple.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That clock on the front of the church seems so out of place. Looks like City Hall.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The hassocks are very colourful and greatly padded, John,

    ReplyDelete
  6. This makes me so homesick for England.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I always admire the simple crosses in the graveyard..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the criss stitch. Lots of work went into those. The fact that two denominations share the building is great, practical, ecumenical. More congregations should consider doing the same. The old cross looks ancient and makes me wonder about the person whose remains are beneath. Lots to ponder!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The kneelers are so cheerful and colourful. These days the lines between denominations are much more blurred, and it's good to see churches sharing space. The door handle is quite amazing. Imagine how many hands over the centuries have used it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your picture of the church with that cloudy sky is incredible as is the little cross grave marker. I noticed the tile flooring too and it is incredible. We just don't have such architectural beauty in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loving that "keep thy foot sign!" And the wood cross--speaks volumes, doesnt it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wonderful informative post. I love these beautiful old churches.
    Thanks for letting us tag along.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fascinating old church. I loved that view of the whole church with all the cross-stitched kneelers. And i'm sorry the walk is over!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I adore those kneelers John and would have loved to look round them all.
    Glad there was that modern translation about the step though - the old one would have gone straight over my head until I had fallen flat on my face.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Para si e para a sua família desejo um Natal de Luz! Abençoado e repleto de alegrias.
    AG

    ReplyDelete
  16. Whast a lovely post, John. I am so impressed with the kneelers. For a few years in the '70's I did not attend church (for a variety of reasons) and when I came back I was appalled to find the kneelers had all been removed, - people did the Anglican Crouch while collecting their thoughts and saying prayers before service, and thereafter stood for prayers. I'll bet all these beautiful paddings would get them back on their knees!!! I imasgine them as being a devotion to create.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a beautiful church and the kneelers are works of art.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The kneelers are amazing. I cannot even imagine how many hours it would have taken to make them. I especially love the door handle, though! I'm surprised it still works.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great church. It seems to be wonderfully cared for. I love that the seats have lasted for all these years.

    ReplyDelete
  20. that simple little cross is quite poignant ...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kind of an interesting mix, don't you think? The door knocker is the object that grabbed me.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll try to answer any questions via a comment or e-mail within the next day or two (no hard questions, please!).