Church of St Katharine, Ickleford facts for kids
The Church of St Katharine of Alexandria is a special church in Ickleford, Hertfordshire. It's a Church of England parish church, which means it serves the local community. This historic building is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. It's so important that it's listed as a Grade I building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Ickleford isn't mentioned in the famous Domesday Book. This old book was a survey of England made in 1086. It's likely Ickleford was part of a nearby village called Pirton back then.
The church in Ickleford started as a small chapel connected to Pirton. For a long time, both churches were managed together. But in 1847, they became separate. This made the Church of St Katharine of Alexandria its own independent parish church.
Later, in 1868, a man named Thomas Wilson bought the right to choose the church's priest. This right, called an "advowson," was then passed down through the Walton family.
Church Design and Features
The Church of St Katharine is a small church right in the middle of Ickleford. Different parts of the church were built at different times.
Main Parts of the Church
- The main part of the church, called the nave, was built in the mid-1100s. This is where the congregation sits.
- The chancel, which is the area near the altar, and the West tower were added in the early 1200s.
- The South porch, where people enter, and the roof of the nave were built in the mid-1400s.
Major Changes in the 1800s
In 1859, the church had a big makeover led by a famous architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. During this time, new sections were added:
- A South aisle (a side section of the church).
- A South chapel, which is now used for the organ.
- A North vestry, a room often used by the clergy.
The outside walls of the church are covered in plaster. However, the walls of the South clerestory (the upper part of the nave with windows) are made of rough, dark flint stones.
Inside the Church
The chancel has a narrow window from the 1200s. There's also a special stone basin called a piscina from the 1400s, used for washing sacred vessels. The beautiful stained-glass windows in the chancel were made around 1860. They show a mix of designs and colors.
On the South wall, there's a wide arch from the 1800s with a chain pattern. The North wall has a large monument from 1726 dedicated to Richard Ansell. You can also see special painted wooden panels, called funerary hatchments, above the North and South doors.
Pulpit and Font
The church has an eight-sided stone pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) from the 1800s. It matches the eight-sided stone baptismal font (used for baptisms), which stands on eight colorful marble pillars. Both of these were added during Scott's restoration.
There's also an old brass plaque from around 1380. It remembers Thomas Somer and his wife Marjory, though some of the writing is hard to read. Another stained-glass window from 1898 was made by Charles Eamer Kempe. In the north wall of the nave, there are two windows. Between them is a blocked-up doorway from the 1100s. It has a zigzag pattern, even though it's been repaired.
The West Tower and Bells
The West tower has two levels and strong supports called buttresses. The roof is low and pyramid-shaped, made of lead. The arch leading into the tower and a small window on the south side are likely original. The large window on the west side and the two-light windows in the bell tower are from the 1400s.
The church has five bells:
- The first two bells were made by John Warner & Sons in 1857.
- The third bell is from 1680.
- The fourth bell was made by Miles Graye in 1650.
- The fifth bell is from 1726.
Altar and Art
The church also has a silver cup from 1796, given by Thomas Cockayne in 1807. There's also a silver plate and a flagon (a large jug) from the Victorian era. The main altar is made of carved oak. Behind the altar is a beautiful gilded and painted triptych. This is a work of art with three panels. It shows Jesus being worshipped as the King of Heaven and was created by Charles Edgar Buckeridge.
Famous Burial
The church is 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.
The Church of St Katharine of Alexandria has been recognized as a Grade I listed building by English Heritage since 1968. This means it's a very important part of England's history and heritage.
Gallery
-
The chancel, the area near the altar
-
Looking down the nave from the east
-
Looking up the nave from the west
-
The pulpit, where sermons are given, dates to 1859
-
The Romanesque doorway, added in 1859
