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| It is cruciform in shape, with ], the first part to be built, ] south and north ]s, and a tower. A ], one of the tallest in Europe was added in the 14th century with a total height of 200 feet. It is topped by a gilded weather vane. The church is built from the local ] and ] with some addition of ]s. The architecture is ] throughout apart from porches added in the 14th and 15th centuries. | It is cruciform in shape, with ], the first part to be built, ] south and north ]s, and a tower. A ], one of the tallest in Europe was added in the 14th century with a total height of 200 feet. It is topped by a gilded weather vane. The church is built from the local ] and ] with some addition of ]s. The architecture is ] throughout apart from porches added in the 14th and 15th centuries. | ||
| A 19th century vestry was added on the north east corner. | |||
| In 1302 a cell to ] was founded in Hemel Hempstead and the church had collegiate status until the ] in 1536. A door at the base of the tower allowed the monks access to the church and avoided them mixing with the townspeople. | |||
| It is not known why such a grand church was constructed in what at the time was a small hamlet. | It is not known why such a grand church was constructed in what at the time was a small hamlet. | ||
Revision as of 14:10, 14 November 2008
St Mary's Church, Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire , United Kingdom , is the parish church of the town and its oldest place of worship.
Its construction was commenced in 1140 and was dedicated in 1150 although construction continued for another 30 years.
It is cruciform in shape, with chancel, the first part to be built, nave south and north transepts, and a tower. A spire, one of the tallest in Europe was added in the 14th century with a total height of 200 feet. It is topped by a gilded weather vane. The church is built from the local clunch stone and flint with some addition of Roman bricks. The architecture is Norman throughout apart from porches added in the 14th and 15th centuries. A 19th century vestry was added on the north east corner.
In 1302 a cell to Ashridge Priory was founded in Hemel Hempstead and the church had collegiate status until the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. A door at the base of the tower allowed the monks access to the church and avoided them mixing with the townspeople.
It is not known why such a grand church was constructed in what at the time was a small hamlet.
The church contains a memorial to Sir Astley Paston Cooper.
References
- St Mary's Church guidebook with forward by the rector Peter Cotton, 2008
- "A virtual walk around St Mary's Church". St Mary's Parish web site. November 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
External links
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