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| Image found on stbartstrust.org.uk |
This old church has been redundant since 1981. Like many churches it is thought to have been built on the site of a much earlier church, a mix of 13/14/15 century building work.
Yesterday I came across a small article which announced that the church was about to be sold, dismantled, transported and rebuilt in California. The date of the article was April 1986, when the estimated cost for the venture was said to be around six hundred thousand dollars.
An American Episcopalian Deacon said it was worth every penny.
Shockingly, the local vicar approved of the scheme, stating that no other use had been found for the building and as there are better examples of medieval churches in the area he and the community would be happy to think it had gone to America...
Further reading on the website has revealed that the scheme was not destined for success, there was no money to back the idea, thank goodness.
There have always been a few people who loved the building, but it suffered from neglect. Now there is a new and much more active group of people who are working hard to protect and preserve the old building.
Amazingly, despite all the neglect, the bell tower and bells are in good and safe working order and will be rung to celebrate the Armistice this November, and on other special occasions. It is a small beginning, but so important.
One of these days I hope to be able to arrange to have a viewing, with camera, of course.
Meanwhile, I will leave you with this very beautiful image of the interior, borrowed from stbartstrust.org. with thanks.
At first, I thought that the subject line meant, that your Rayburn had been dismantled and shipped to CA. Meaning, you got a "pretty price" for it!!! :-)))
ReplyDeleteThen the info, that it was this lovely old church! Sighhhhhhhhhh...
But! You say it never happened! Wonderful!
Another sigh... Do you realize, how you sent my emotions on a roller-coaster ride there????!!!???? *Naughty You*!!!! >,-)))))))
Enjoy your family weekend!!!!
Goodness! No, the Rayburn would weigh almost as much as the church, a great bit sooty chunk of cast iron.
DeleteI am glad the old church stayed where it was built, apart from anything else it wouldn't have complied with earthquake regulations. No doubt the suggestion caused a lot of very heated discussions at the time, and these days just seems a totally crazy idea anyway.
The whole family got together yesterday, so it was a mad house! Lots of food, lots of tea and juice, hugs, love and chatter - with the occasional squabble, from the children, not the adults! Have a good weekend, Luna.
I am glad that it stayed in situ as I think it has a lot of character and charm. Good to hear that it has a fan club too and may have a new use in life in the future perhaps.
ReplyDeleteApparently the church was reduced in size, at some point. It always amazes me to see just how many there are in this part of the country; a few miles away there are two which share the same churchyard. Each with a very distinct feel.
DeleteI too thought it was what was dismantled from our home. I'm so glad the church did not make it over here to CA. And that folks have rallied to keep it in place.
ReplyDeleteOnce the story broke, back in the 80's, it must have provoked many a heated debate! Can't blame the man for having dreams, but I am glad it didn't come to fruition.
DeleteWhat a delightful church - I love the wooden bell tower. So glad it stayed where it was meant to be.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to paying it a visit one day. I have driven past many times, but rarely go that way since we moved here. Time to remedy that!
DeleteI agree, it should not be moved. It has no history here, no provenance. Better it crumble to powder; its windows be installed in an old country farm house, its records relocated to its mother church. But not before you have photographed it.
ReplyDeleteIt would certainly have looked very unusual in California, much better where it is. Time will tell if the new group's energy and motivation is sustainable, it would be a shame if it were to crumble, but it happens.
DeleteGlad it's not being shipped over her. Surely there must be some sue it could be put to in it's own community.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a nice outcome, time will tell. At one time the village even had a priory near the church, now nothing more than crop marks in the field. Population dwindles, as employment changes from farming and the land. :(
DeleteWould have been such a shame to have shipped the church to America losing part of our history and its so nice to hear people have saved it and giving it some tender loving care. There is a small but beautiful church in Pyrford, Surrey which holds such memories as I´m sure does this little church. Beautiful window and great photo xcx
ReplyDeleteHello Chrissie - Welcome! The old church has a long history, no doubt there are many tales to be told. I love visiting old churches and 'feeling' their history, as well as doing a little research on them. I have added it to my list for when things quieten down here. There is an open heritage weekend coming up soon, when some of the churches further west will open their doors. There are 45 on offer, the tricky thing is picking out just a few from the list, I keep having to redo my list. Decisions, decisions!
DeleteThat's an interesting interior. Looks so empty compared to the churches I've been visiting and I'm glad someone is looking after it now
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does, Sue. The sumptuous interiors of some of your churches really highlight that fact. This one is so bare that it makes me think of a particular church a few miles south of it which has the same bare walls, no windows, no pews, no doors. Probably a sign that it was heading the same way, that decline has now been halted, thank goodness.
DeleteNow that is a church worthy of saving
ReplyDeleteA little gem! I look forward to seeing it before long.
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