Church of St Katharine, Ickleford facts for kids
The Church of St Katharine of Alexandria is a special old church in Ickleford, Hertfordshire. It's part of the Church of England and belongs to the diocese of St Albans. This building is very old, going back to the Middle Ages, and is considered a Grade I historic building. This means it's super important and protected!
Contents
History of the Church
Ickleford isn't mentioned in the famous Domesday Book, probably because it was once part of a nearby place called Pirton. The church in Ickleford started as a smaller chapel connected to Pirton. These two churches were linked until 1847. Later, in 1868, a man named Thomas Wilson bought the right to choose the church's priest.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Katharine is a small but beautiful church right in the middle of Ickleford.
Main Parts of the Church
The main part of the church, called the nave, was built in the mid-1100s. The chancel (the area around the altar) and the tall West tower were added in the early 1200s. Later, around the mid-1400s, a porch on the South side and the roof of the nave were built.
Big Changes in 1859
In 1859, the church had a huge makeover! A famous architect named Sir George Gilbert Scott led this work. During this time, a new South aisle, a South chapel (now used for the organ), and a North vestry were added. The outside walls are covered in plaster, but some parts are made of special flint stones.
Inside the Church
The chancel has a window from the 1200s and a special stone basin from the 1400s called a piscina, used for washing holy items. The beautiful stained-glass windows from around 1860 were likely made by a company called Clayton and Bell.
On the North wall, there's a big monument from 1726 for Richard Ansell. You can also see a stone pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) and a stone baptismal font (used for baptisms). Both of these were added during the 1859 restoration. There's also an old brass plaque from about 1380 for Thomas Somer and his wife. Another stained-glass window from 1898 was made by Charles Eamer Kempe.
In the North wall of the nave, there are two windows on either side of an old doorway from the 1100s. This doorway is now blocked up, but you can still see its cool zigzag patterns.
The West Tower and Bells
The West tower has strong buttresses (supports) that help hold it up. The roof is low and pyramid-shaped, covered in lead. The tower has a window and two bell windows from the 1400s.
The church has five bells!
- The first two bells were made in 1857.
- The third bell is from 1680.
- The fourth bell is from 1650.
- The fifth bell is from 1726.
Altar and Art
The main altar is made of beautifully carved oak wood. Behind the altar, there's a special gilded and painted artwork called a triptych. It shows Jesus as the King of Heaven and was created by Charles Edgar Buckeridge.
Famous Burial
The church is also the resting place of Henry Boswell, who was known as the "King of the Gypsies". He passed away in 1760 at the age of 90. His wife and granddaughter are also buried here.
Since 1968, English Heritage has officially listed this church as a Grade I building, showing how important and historic it is.
Gallery
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The chancel
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Looking down the nave from the east
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Looking up the nave from the west
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The pulpit dates to 1859
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The Romanesque doorway was added in 1859
