Not much to tell you about this church which is no longer in use as a church and has been sold to Bradfield Collage. When I got to the church back in January I found it surrounded by safety fence with a note saying was there in case of tiles falling off the roof. A note also told me it was no longer in use. After phoning the old Vicar he told be Bradfiled Collage had purchased the church for use as a centre of some kind. I was put in touch with the church commission who gave me the name of the key holder who was of no help. The commission we good enough to try to get me on one of their visits to see inside then the virus took over and it all went out the window. When lock down ended I was told to get in touch with another key holder but as yet have not heard back.
The parish church of St Andrew was almost entirely rebuilt by Gilbert Scott in 1847. I read it was also the church where Catherine Middleton was christened and why I would love to have got a photo of the font.
The North side of the church was surrounded by the fence so getting a good shot of the porch was not an option
The belltower looked an interesting mix of flint and bricks and promised to be quite old
The South side of the church to the transept
Heading to the East end and the apse on the end, to the left you can see what could be a South aisle
Looking to the North slightly and a North aisle
On the East end of which looks to be a vestry
The churchyard was quite full of headstones
With an obelisk memorial near the boundary wall
A cast iron memorial amongst the headstone on the North side and left further around towards the West end
The Commonwealth war grave of C.J.Knapp and an interesting one I will show at the end
This part was an extension to the churchyard at the West end and contained more recent burials
Quite an elaborate family plot
This seemed to be another extension
Looking along the North side
The boundary hedge to Bradfiield Collage with graves beside it
A rather nice Celtic cross with some very similar headstones beside it. They seem to be all women, Nuns maybe?
As you went further along the churchyard you walked past snowdrops surrounding the graves
A single chest tomb at the end
Last look at the snowdrops
The Grave of E Newnham who belonged to The Old Contemptibles You need to read the link to find out more. Need less to say these are rare and I have only ever come across one other though I did find out there are a few more at Old Reading Cemetery though I have not seen them. He lived through the whole of WWI. RIP
Till Next Time Stay Safe
It's a pity you couldn't get into the church. I expect everything is on hold not only because of the virus situation, but also now Bradfield College is involved with its future use. The churchyard grounds are full of interest and it's good to be reminded of the time you went with the snowdrops in flower. I read the link which was also interesting. Have a good week Bill.
ReplyDeleteIt was not for the want of trying
DeleteThe stone of this church has an almost blue color, and I like the snowdrops in the grave yard. I hope the church will be maintained in good condition by the college. Each of those grave sites has a story to tell.
ReplyDeleteThe material used is flint which has a blue colour to it
DeleteWonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am delighted with the belfry and Celtic crosses in the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteBilly, as always, great photos and coverage.
Have a healthy, happy week:)
That was nice to see I admit
DeleteRebuilt in 1837...how far back does this church go?
ReplyDeleteFurther than that I think
DeleteĎakujem za zdieľanie. Aj u nás sú kostoly zamknuté, otvárajú ich v čase bohuslužieb. Ani sa nesnažím dostať dovnútra.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Our churches are also locked, they open them during religious services. I'm not even trying to get inside.
You can go in some you just have to find out when they are open
DeleteYou got a number of interesting shots under the circumstances. I like how it looks like a castle. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteYes it does give that appearance
Delete