Church of St Nicholas, Norton facts for kids
The Church of St Nicholas is a historic church located in Norton, which is now part of Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire. This church served the village of Norton for centuries. The main part of the building was constructed around 1109 to 1119. Later, in the 1400s, more sections were added, including the tall tower. Before the Reformation, it was an important stop for people on their way to St Albans Abbey to visit a special shrine there.
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A Look Back at History
The land where Norton is located belonged to St Albans Abbey since about the year 795. Even though they lost control for a while, it was given back to them in 1007. People believe there has been a church on this spot since 1002. The Domesday Book from 1086, which was a big survey of England, even mentions a priest living in Norton.
The current St Nicholas Church was built around 1119. It was dedicated by Hervey le Breton, who was the Bishop of Ely. Around 1258, Laurence, the church's Rector, gave a small part of the church's income to St Albans Abbey. This money helped the Abbey welcome travelers, especially pilgrims visiting the shrine of Saint Alban. In 1291, Pope Nicholas IV made a list of churches in England for taxes. Norton church was listed as being in the area of Baldock and the Archdeaconry of St Albans. That same year, the Pope offered special blessings to pilgrims who visited the church at Norton on four specific feast days dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
When King Henry VIII closed down the monasteries in 1539, the church and its rights became his property. Over the next 450 years, different families owned these rights. Finally, in 1908, the Bishop of St Albans bought them.
The parents of the famous evangelist Rodney "Gipsy" Smith are buried in the churchyard. His mother passed away from smallpox nearby in 1865. A large stone memorial was placed there later. By 1907, the church needed a lot of care. Many repairs were made, and the church was officially reopened in October 1909. The vicar, George James Pierson, who had been in charge since 1842, passed away in December of that same year. He had served the church for almost 68 years!
St Nicholas Church was the main church for Norton village for 850 years. Then, in 1964, St George's Church was built in Letchworth Garden City. However, St Nicholas Church is still used today for services, weddings, and as a smaller chapel.
Church Design and Features
The oldest parts of the church are the south end of the nave (the main part of the church where people sit) and the Norman clunch chancel arch (the arch leading to the altar area). The tower was built in the 1400s. At that time, the nave was made longer to connect to the tower, and the walls of the nave were made taller. The windows and the porch (the entrance area) also date from the 1400s, as do some of the older pews (church benches) and the font (where baptisms take place).
In 1814, the north doorway was closed off. The coat of arms you see above the south door today replaced an older, larger one. The pulpit (where the preacher stands) is from the 1600s.
The chancel (the area around the altar) has memorials for members of the Pryor family. They owned a lot of land and cottages in the village. On the south wall of the nave, there is a memorial for the daughters of Katherine Cole. All her daughters passed away when they were babies. Katherine was the daughter of Richard Cleaver, who owned Norton manor at that time.
Also on the south wall of the nave is a memorial to William Pym and his wife Elizabeth. William Pym bought the manor from Richard Cleaver's family in 1680. He was an ancestor of Francis Pym, who was a Foreign Secretary much later. On the floor near the chancel arch, there is a memorial for their baby son, Guy, who died in April 1686. Back then, the new year started on March 25th, which can make some old dates seem confusing!
The church has been a Grade II listed building since 1954. This means it's an important historic building that is protected. It belongs to the Diocese of St Albans.
The Church Bells
The church has a set of eight bells. Three of these bells are very old, made before the 1900s. The oldest bell is from the 1400s. It was likely made by Joanna Hille, who was a bell founder's widow. It has a Latin message that means "Saint Peter, pray for us." Another old bell was made by Robert Oldfield, who crafted bells between 1605 and 1640. The third old bell says "John Briant Hertford fecit 1815," meaning John Briant of Hertford made it in 1815. The five newer bells were made by John Taylor & Co in Loughborough in 1946. The newest and highest-pitched bell is dedicated to Polly and Cornelius Smith, who were the parents of evangelist Rodney "Gipsy" Smith.
The Church Organ
The organ in the church has one keyboard and four pull-out stops to change its sound. It was first built by Henry Speechly in 1870 for the chapel at Lambeth Palace. It was later repaired by Manders in 1958. Norton Parish acquired the organ and used it in St George's Hall for worship before the current main parish church, St George's, was built.
Gallery
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A view of the lych gate
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A view of the back of the church
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The Smyth family tomb in the churchyard
