Sunday 15 September 2019

Inside Story

Back in August 2015 I was pedalling my bicycle down one of Hertfordshire's minor backroads when I spotted "one of the prettiest little churches I've ever seen". That's what I said then and another viewing hasn't changed my opinion. Yesterday though the door of the church in Ayot St Peter was unlocked for the national Heritage Open Days weekend.



As English churches go it has no great age, it was built as recently as 1875, the previous church having been struck by lightning and burned down the previous year. The architect was J P Seddon who also oversaw most of the internal fittings and decoration too. There have been a few additions since but all in keeping with the original concept and carried out to the highest standard.



What we see today is one of the most complete small churches built in the Arts and Crafts style of the Victorian era. 



As a special bonus this weekend it's been skilfully and colourfully adorned in readiness for Harvest Festival.






The Arts and Crafts movement grew up in England in response to the rapid industrialisation of the country. Many artists and intellectuals despaired at what they saw as a decline in craftsmanship in the face of mass production and sought a return to traditional values.



There was also a movement within the Church of England to return to what they saw as a golden age of church building before the Reformation. Churches then had been much more colourful and elaborate.






Although the buildings constructed in this style are undoubtedly dazzling, the insistence on craftsmanship and materials of the highest order made them unbelievably expensive. Many a landowner was reduced to poverty by building in this style. Here there must have been several wealthy backers to finance the building of such a fine church. The ongoing cost of maintaining it must also place a heavy burden on the parish.






I've refrained from giving you too much detail about the individual items in the church, but if you want to find out more the village has an excellent website which will provide you with the full details about their beautiful church.






There was just one more thing I wanted to see......



….. a small glass case displays this lump of misshapen metal which comes from the bells of the previous church, melted by that fateful lightning strike in 1874.



Ayot St Peter is in a pleasant bit of countryside just west of Welwyn Garden City. I'll show you a few shots of the walk I took to get there in the next post. What I won't be sharing is the jar of home-made jam made by a local resident and on sale in the church; I'm having that all myself!


Take care.

23 comments:

  1. Pretty indeed. The organ is gorgeous, as is the mosaic baptismal font (at least that’s what I think it is).

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  2. The pipe organ looks impressive. I would love to hear a rehearsal on it.

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  3. I can see why it's your favorite!

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  4. So many interesting decorative features in this pretty church - the brickwork, the font, the floors, and the lovely paintings beneath the dome.

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  5. This is one of the most beautiful churches...I love it from the outside, as well as love the inside.

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  6. That is a very beautiful church! Whenever I think of the arts and crafts Movement I think of Snowshill.

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  7. She is a gem.

    That lightning strike was quite something!

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  8. What a beautiful church and I like the Harvest Festival decorations as well. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Pretty outside and fascinating inside.
    The stained glass windows and mosaics are my favourites, like in every church. The font is indeed very beautiful.

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  10. Hi John - amazing little place - quite delightful ... thanks for sharing and I'm so pleased the church was open. I need to check to see if it's got some connection to the Oxford Movement, which eventually developed into Anglo-Catholicism - as we have some decorated churches here with links to the Oxford Movement.

    Just love seeing it - and so pleased you could view ... I'll check out their website - thanks for that ... and then looking forward to seeing your walk there! Cheers Hilary

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  11. Admittedly I do not know a lot about organs but I've never seen painted pipes. Lovely instrument and beautiful church.

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  12. Beautiful both inside and out. I particularly like the font, the organ pipes and the tiles around the altar:)

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  13. A truly beautiful church. The artwork and attention to detail is so lovely. Great photos of it all.

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  14. What a sweet and beautiful church, - the Church of England which I attend is terribly humble in comparison, - but still as holy, I imaginel

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  15. I like to see little, humble parish churches at the countryside of England. As I scroll down, this church turned out to be much more gorgeous than the impression of outside appearance. That’s not bad at all as I could see the meticulous craftsmanship inside. Thanks for sharing. Also thanks for your sympathy about the tropical summer with oppressive humidity I have endured.

    Yoko

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  16. BEAUTIFUL. I had to chuckle at the built in 1875 being not very old...to find a building that old here is rare! Which is probably why I love the history there so much!

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