St Nicholas Church, Harpenden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas Church, Harpenden |
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St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Nicholas |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Harpenden |
| Diocese | St Albans |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Nicholas Church in Harpenden is a special parish church that belongs to the Church of England. It is a very old and important building. Because of its history and design, it is listed as a Grade II* building. This means it is a particularly important building of more than special interest.
Contents
History of St Nicholas Church
How Old is the Church?
St Nicholas Church is the oldest known church in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. It was first built around the year 1217. Back then, it was a small church called a Chapel-of-Ease. This means it was a smaller church that helped people attend services more easily.
Building Changes Over Time
The church was made bigger in 1470. At that time, the tall tower you see today was added. Later, in 1861, the old church building was taken down. A new, larger church was built in its place. This new building could hold more people as Harpenden grew.
The Church Bells
The church tower holds a set of eight bells. These bells ring out for services and special events. The oldest bell in the tower is very old, dating all the way back to 1612. Imagine how many times it has rung over the centuries!
Becoming Its Own Parish
For a long time, Harpenden was part of a larger church area called Wheathampstead. But in 1859, Harpenden became its own separate church parish. This was a big step for the community. Just three years later, in 1862, the church was rebuilt to welcome its growing number of worshippers.
The Parish of Harpenden St Nicholas
The church is part of the Parish of Harpenden St Nicholas. This is a Church of England parish within the Diocese of St Albans. A parish is like a local church community.
Other Churches in the Parish
The Parish of Harpenden St Nicholas also includes two other churches. These are sometimes called "daughter churches."
- All Saints Church is on Station Road in the Batford area of Harpenden.
- St Mary's Church is located on the northern edge of Harpenden.
These daughter churches have their own committees. They also have their own ways of holding services. This gives people in different parts of Harpenden choices for how they want to worship.
Famous People Buried Here
Many notable people have been buried at St Nicholas Church. Some of them were very important in their fields.
- Joseph Henry Gilbert (1817–1901): A famous chemist.
- John Bennet Lawes (1814–1900): An important agricultural scientist.
- Eric Morecambe (1926–1984): A much-loved comedian and entertainer. His ashes are buried here.
- Edward John Russell (1872–1965): Another important agricultural scientist.
- Frank O. Salisbury (1874–1962): A well-known artist.
- Katherine Warington (1897–1993): A respected botanist.
See also
