We are a rural community of seven village churches in the very north-west corner of the Chelmsford Diocese in the deanery of Saffron Walden. The parish is close to Cambridge, sitting between the medieval market towns of Saffron Walden and Royston, with villages in both Essex and Cambridgeshire. Our villages lie at the very centre of the Icknield Way, the oldest track in Britain, which dates from Neolithic times.
St Swithun’s Church, Heydon Road, Great Chishill, SG8 8SS
Situated opposite the Rectory, the
church is built of flint and rubble, locally gathered, and set in mud or clay.
It occupies a prominent position in the village, which is the highest point in
Cambridgeshire, with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. A major
programme of restoration has recently been completed, supported by a
substantial grant from the lottery fund and energetic fund raising in the
community. A group of volunteers helps to keep the churchyard looking
beautiful. The church can accommodate approximately 220 people. It has a
dedicated children’s area and a crèche area for babies and toddlers. The bells
were restored and a new ringing platform installed in 1999. A group of
villagers regularly ring the bells. 10.40 services are typically held here.
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/great-chishill-st-swithin/
St Nicholas Church, Little Chishill Road, Little Chishill, SG8 8PA
The church is of 11th century origin.
There is a Norman window on the north side of the chancel. The Crossman family
who owned the nearby Cokenach estate restored the church about 1880, it has
been in use ever since. Thanks to a hard working DCC the church is generally in
good condition, there is no electricity, candles are used when required. The
church has just received a substantial grant from the Listed Places of Worship
Roof Grant scheme and work is underway to replace the roof of the nave. The
churchyard is open and well-maintained. St Nicholas’ Church is a much loved,
peaceful and happy place that holds a number of events such as a bring and
share summer picnic. The Church seats about 80 people and BCP communion
services are typically held here.
Holy Trinity Church, Chishill Road, Heydon, SG8 8PW
Heydon Church (1298) is a grade 2*
listed building situated within Heydon village. It has notable stained glass
and reredos, and is heated and well maintained. It is hoped to adapt the
building to enable greater multi-purpose use. The capacity is about 160 of
which 80 will be in the nave, and the pews (moveable) can have additional
stackable chairs added. The simple servery is used for coffee after services
and can cope with simple 'Harvest Supper' food, or buffets. BCP communion
services are typically held here.
Holy Trinity Church, Church Road, Chrishall, SG8 8QU
Holy
Trinity stands proudly on the edge of Chrishall Village. It is the largest
church in the parish, with a seating capacity of 240. It is a grade 1 listed
building and is well endowed by the Brand Trust, but for fabric purposes only,
one of whose trustees is the Incumbent. Although traces of its Norman origins
are clearly visible in the tower arch, the bulk of the church was built in the
14th and 15th centuries. The building was extensively restored in 1869, with
further major works over the last two decades and stands today in good physical
condition. Recently toilet facilities and a kitchen area have been
incorporated.
The
church is fitted with wireless audio facilities including an induction loop
hearing system. A new floor was recently laid throughout the body of the church
with some pews being removed and replaced by chairs which allow far greater use
of the building for worship, community and fund raising purposes. This should
serve as an opportunity to raise income for the church, which struggles to
support its share of general expenditure. In addition the church has on loan a
copy of Rubens “Adoration of the Magi”. There are also three notable brasses
relating to the de la Pole family. The churchyard is supported by volunteers
from the community. 10.40 services are typically held here.
St Nicholas Church, Ickleton Road, Elmdon, CB11 4LT
St.
Nicholas is our Parish Church.
It is situated at the centre of its community and is reasonably large for what
is now a fairly small village. The building is substantially in good order. The
interior has been redecorated, and high quality lighting and a sound system,
complete with induction loop, have been installed. The vestry is a good size
and used for Youth group on Sundays. A study is underway into making the church
building more user friendly for its community and for more general use. Re
ordering of the church isbeing
actively considered. Meanwhile, a massive re-ordering of the churchyard has
been undertaken and work completed including replacing the brick and flint wall
along the boundary with the road. The Church, which suffers from a major bat
problem, is cleaned by a group of volunteers affectionately known as “Elmdon’s
MMMs” (Magnificent Marigold Maids) who meet the day before every service. 10.40 services are typically held here.
The Hamlet Church, School Lane, Duddenhoe
End, CB11 4XN
This church dates back to 1610 when it
was a tithe barn in a farm called Lantern Thatch. It was converted and
consecrated on St. Peter’s Day 29th June 1859, following local fund raising. By
1990, the Church had fallen into disrepair and following considerable
generosity from villages, it was possible to renovate it extensively. Seating
around 80 people it is one of only two thatched churches in Essex. One of its
unusual features is that the Lord’s Table is on the long (east) side of the
church, with the pine pews arranged accordingly.
The
church was re-thatched in 2010 and the porch roof repaired, funds having been
raised through grants and donations from the residents of Duddenhoe End. We
typically have monthly BCP communion services held here together with Harvest
and Christmas Services. We hold a variety of fund raising events in the church,
such as an Organ Recital, Flower arrangement demonstration and talks on a
variety of subjects: i.e. Local history.
St Mary the Virgin, Strethall Farmyard, Strethall, CB11 4XJ
Situated on the ancient Icknield Way the
church building, which is Grade 1 listed, probably dates from around 1010. In
2010 we held a Millenium service led by the Bishop with music written for the
occasion by John Rutter. Strethall underwent very substantial restoration a few
years ago. Some funds are raised locally not least by the Friends of Strethall
church, but significant funding has been received from English Heritage, The
Historic Churches Preservation Trust and other grant giving bodies. The fund raising
effort has encouraged an on-going series of high-profile events such as
concerts, flower and art festivals. The building which is ½ a mile from the
village and approached through a farmyard, has a normal seating capacity of
around 40, although approaching 100 squeeze in for the annual carol service at
Christmas. Many walkers and visitors to the Parish stop to pray in the church
because of its exceptionally peaceful and tranquil environment. BCP communion
services are typically held here.
You have shared a nice article here about the Churches. Your article is very interesting and I liked your way to express your views in this post. Thank you for sharing this article here. churches open in atlanta ga
ReplyDelete