Church of St Andrew, Biggleswade facts for kids
St Andrew's Church is the main Anglican church in the town of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England. It is a very old and important building, given a special Grade II* listing. This means it is protected for its history and architecture. The church is part of the Diocese of St Albans. It is well-known for a unique brass picture from 1481. This picture shows a figure representing Death.
The Church's Story
St Andrew's Church was first mentioned way back in 1132. This was when the land of Biggleswade was given to Alexander I, who was the Bishop of Lincoln. This gift helped to support Lincoln Cathedral. Around 1163, another bishop, Bishop Robert de Chesney, made the church a "Royal Peculiar." This meant it was directly under the King's control, not the local bishop.
A special event happened at the church on November 18, 1200. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, died in London. His body rested at Biggleswade on its way to Lincoln. People say a woman with a broken arm touched his body and was healed. Also, the candles in the procession stayed lit. St Hugh was later made a saint in 1220.
The church building you see today is not from that early time. The oldest parts are from around 1300. Most of the church was built during the Perpendicular Period. This was a style of English architecture from the late Middle Ages. The chancel (the part of the church near the altar) was likely rebuilt or improved between 1467 and 1481. This work was done by Archdeacon John Rudying, who died in 1481.
The church's old tower fell down in the early 1700s. It was rebuilt in 1720. New bells were added in 1721. In 1870, the church had a big restoration. This meant repairing the roofs and stone. An organ room was added, and new supports were put in for the main roof.
A stone reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) was added in 1877. It was designed by R J Withers. Famous mosaic artists, Antonio Salviati, decorated it in 1881. Between 1885 and 1888, the church architect William Butterfield made more improvements. These included a new roof for the chancel and a new vestry (a room for clergy). In November 1953, a fire damaged the chancel and organ room. They were repaired between 1953 and 1955. An organ gallery was also added at the west end of the church.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has a mix of old and newer parts. The arch of the tower and five doorways are from about 1300 AD. But most of the building is from the Perpendicular Period, especially the chancel from around 1470.
On the floor of the chancel, you can still see parts of a special brass picture from 1481. This picture is for Archdeacon John Rudying. He is believed to have rebuilt or furnished the chancel. There is a Latin message between Rudying and a Figure of Death. The Figure of Death is shown about to strike him with a spear. This brass picture is very famous. It was once thought to be destroyed during the 1870 restoration. However, parts of it, including the figures of Death and angels, and the Latin message, survived.
The inside walls of the church had their plaster removed in the late 1800s. The main part of the church, called the nave, and the side aisles are separated by arches. These arches have four sections and are from the Perpendicular period. At the west end, the tall tower arch is from the earliest tower, around 1300. The rest of the tower is from 1720.
St Andrew's is built from dark ironstone. The tower is made of grey ashlar (finely cut stone) on an ironstone base. The church also has limestone decorations. The beautiful stained glass in the East window was put in in 1877. The chancel window on the South West side, which shows the Crucifixion, is from 1882 and was made by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake. Another window on the South side of the chancel was made by Charles Eamer Kempe.
The church has been a Grade II* listed building since May 20, 1952. This means it is a very important historic building.
Images for kids
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The East Altar
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Looking up the nave towards the East altar
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The Lady Chapel aisle
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The baptismal font
See also
- Monumental brass of John Rudying
