Church of All Saints, Little Shelford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of All Saints |
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| 52°08′39″N 0°07′22″E / 52.1442°N 0.1227°E | |
| Location | Church Street, Little Shelford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 5HG |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish Church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Designated | 31 August 1962 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Little Shelford |
| Deanery | Granta |
| Archdeaconry | Cambridge |
| Diocese | Ely |
The Church of All Saints is an old and important Church of England parish church in Little Shelford, Cambridgeshire, England. It's a special building that has been around since the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! Because of its history and beauty, it's officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical site.
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History of the Church
The church building stands proudly near a crossroads, surrounded by thirteen beautiful lime trees and an ancient market cross. It's one of the oldest churches in the area, dating back even before the Normans arrived in England.
Ancient Features
You can find stones carved with Saxon patterns below a tiny Norman window. There's also a carved coffin stone in the porch that might be Saxon. Inside the chapel, there are four more stones that are probably Norman. Look for a strange animal with human arms holding up the 13th-century chancel arch!
Later Additions
The main part of the chancel was built in the 14th century. A small room called a sacristy, which is used for church items, was added in the 15th century. It has an old door and holes for three piscinas (small basins for washing sacred vessels) in a windowsill. The wooden pulpit, where sermons are given, is from the Jacobean period, which was in the 1600s. The font, used for baptisms, is 600 years old, just like the church's tiny spire.
The de Freville Family
The church has special seating called stalls with the family symbol of the de Freville family. They were important landowners, known as Lords of the Manor, in this area. Their 15th-century chapel, which you reach by going up three stairs, has beautiful stone decorations. You can see these on its piscina and on a canopy over a figure of a saint. There are also small pieces of old stained glass in its windows.
Some members of the de Freville family who died before the chapel was built are remembered in the chancel with stone carvings and monumental brasses.
- Sir John de Freville has a stone carving made of alabaster from the early 14th century. It has an inscription in Norman French.
- From the end of the 14th century, there are brass carvings of Robert de Freville and Claricia. They are shown holding hands with a greyhound and two dogs at their feet.
- Their son, Thomas de Freville, is also shown holding his wife's hand in a brass carving from 1405.
A rector (a church leader) from the 15th century, John Cate, also has a detailed brass portrait in the church.
The Church Today
On August 31, 1962, the Church of All Saints was officially named a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
In 1996, the church became part of a new church community, growing from St Andrew the Great, Cambridge. All Saints follows a traditional Christian approach within the Church of England.
