Thaxted Parish Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thaxted Parish Church
Church of Saint John the Baptist with Our Lady and Saint Laurence
"The Cathedral of Essex"
Thaxted Church, with its spire and south porch, viewed from the top of Stony Lane
51°57′16″N 0°20′32″E / 51.954319°N 0.342295°E / 51.954319; 0.342295
OS grid reference	TL 61044 31014
Location	Thaxted, Essex
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Previous denomination	Catholicism
History
Dedication	Saint John the Baptist; Our Lady; Saint Laurence
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I listed building
Architectural type	Church
Style	English Perpendicular
Years built	c. 1340 to c. 1510
Specifications
Length	183 feet (56 m)
Width	87 feet (27 m)
Spire height	181 feet (55 m)
Administration
Parish	Thaxted
Benefice	Thaxted, The Sampfords, Radwinter and Hempstead
Deanery	Saffron Walden
Archdeaconry	Stansted
Diocese	Chelmsford
Province	Canterbury

Thaxted Church, commanding the town with its Guildhall

The Church of Saint John the Baptist with Our Lady and Saint Laurence is a very old and important church in the town of Thaxted, in Essex, England. It's often called "the Cathedral of Essex" because it's so big and grand!

This church was built a long time ago, between about 1380 and 1510. It's built in a special style called English Perpendicular. The church sits on top of a hill, and its tall, thin spire reaches 181 feet (55 meters) into the sky. You can see it from all around the town and the countryside.

The church's huge size shows how rich Thaxted used to be. In the Middle Ages, people in Thaxted made cutlery (like knives) and traded wool, which brought a lot of money to the town. The church is so important that it's a Grade I Listed Building, meaning it's protected for its historical value.

"The town of Thaxted is the queen of Essex and her crown is the church. The steeple stands out over the surrounding fields. The town streets all seem to bend in its direction over ancient cobbles and past timber framed houses." — Simon Jenkins, Country Churches, Penguin English Journeys, 2009, p.36.

Since 2017, Thaxted Church has been part of a larger group of churches. It belongs to the Diocese of Chelmsford. Before that, it was part of other church areas, like London and Rochester.

History of Thaxted Church

Early Beginnings

There has been a Christian church in Thaxted for a very long time, even since Saxon times. The first mention of a church here was between 981 and 1016. A woman named Æthelgifu gave land to a monastery, and her will was kept in the church as proof.

Some people think an even older church was found near the current one. There's also a belief that the church you see today stands on the spot of an earlier building.

Why Such a Big Church?

It's a bit of a mystery why a small town like Thaxted built such a huge church in the 1300s. But there are some good ideas!

One reason might be a disagreement between the local priest and some monks. This meant money that used to go to the monks could now be used for the parish church. At the same time, Thaxted was becoming very successful because of its cutlery and wool trades.

So, the people of Thaxted had enough money to start a big church project. Rich families also helped pay for it. Many small pieces of land were sold to raise money for the new building. The town even had four churchwardens, which shows they were serious about managing the building funds.

Important noble families, like the Clare family, also helped pay for the church. These included Elizabeth, Lady Clare, and even King Edward IV.

How the Church Was Built

The church we see today was built over a long time, from the mid-1300s to the early 1500s. It probably sits on the site of an older church. The very first parts of the building are from around 1340, and most of it was finished by 1510.

It's hard to know the exact order everything was built, but here's a general idea:

• The main hall (nave) and side areas (aisles) were built first, around 1340.
• Then came the south transept (a side arm of the church) and the south porch (an entrance).
• Later, the north transept and north porch were added.
• The tall tower and spire were built between 1475 and 1500.
• Finally, the chancel (the area near the altar) and its chapels were completed around 1510.

Some people think the original plan included a tower in the middle of the church, but it might have fallen down.

Repairs Over the Years

The church has been repaired many times, but people have always been careful not to change its original look too much. As early as 1561, people were asking for money to fix the "fair edifice."

Storms caused damage in the 1700s and early 1800s. In 1814, lightning struck the spire, and scaffolding put up for repairs fell, damaging the roof. The spire was rebuilt to look just like the original by 1822, with help from Sir William Smyth.

Later, in 1909-1910, an architect named Randall Wells did more renovation work. Today, the Friends of Thaxted Church continue to raise money for its upkeep.

Almost a Cathedral

Thaxted Church is sometimes called the "Cathedral of Essex." At the start of the 1900s, it was even considered to become a real cathedral! A new bishop's area was being planned, and seven churches applied.

Thaxted was a strong candidate because it was already so grand and wouldn't need many changes. However, it was hard to get to, and a local noblewoman didn't want to give up her rights over the church. In the end, Chelmsford was chosen to have the new cathedral.

Church Architecture

Thaxted Church, nave looking east

Thaxted Church is a great example of the English Perpendicular style. This style is known for its tall, straight lines and big windows. One expert described it as "proud, spacious, clear" inside, and outside, it's dominated by its "splendid tall steeple."

The church is built from limestone with flint stone filling. It has castle-like tops and strong buttresses (supports). Each buttress has a pointed top (pinnacle) and a gargoyle (a carved stone figure that drains water). The outside is also decorated with other carvings and strange figures called grotesques.

The west tower holds the church bells and supports the tall spire. It was built in the 1400s and has been repaired since. The spire is 181 feet (55 meters) high and has three sets of windows. A golden weather vane sits at the very top.

Church Porches

The church has two main entrance porches, both with two floors.

• The south porch, also called the Duke's Porch, was given by Lionel, Duke of Clarence, in the 1360s. It has a beautiful star-shaped ceiling.
• The north porch, or King's Porch, was given by King Edward IV. It's taller and more detailed, with a fancy ribbed ceiling and carved figures. Above the entrance, you can see the King's coat of arms. At the top, there are carvings of "wodewoses," which are like wild men holding clubs. The room above this porch was once a chapel dedicated to John Ball, a leader from the Peasants' Revolt. Most people enter the church through the North Porch today.

Inside the Church

The main hall (nave) and the side areas (arcades) are the oldest parts, from around 1340. The nave is 85.5 feet (26 meters) long. The wooden roof throughout the church is original, with carvings of heads, angels, and leaves. The big arch under the west tower is from the 1400s. The upper windows (clerestory) were added in the early 1500s.

Both the north and south aisles are wider than the nave. Their roofs also have carved bosses, some showing the symbols of people who might have donated money.

The north transept has a special screen (reredos) with carvings of Christ and angels. The south transept was probably once a chapel for Saint Catherine, shown by the carved Catherine wheels.

The chancel (the area near the altar) and its side chapels are the newest parts, finished before 1510. The north chapel is called the Chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury, and the south chapel is the Chapel of Our Lady and St Anne.

Church Fittings

Carved fifteenth century wooden font case and cover, Thaxted Parish Church, Essex

The font, used for baptisms, is in the north-western part of the church. It has a beautiful wooden cover from the late 1400s. The hexagonal wooden pulpit, where sermons are given, is from the 1680s.

Some of the stained glass windows are very old, from the 1300s and 1400s. One old window shows a knight. Other old glass shows Adam and Eve, Saint Christopher, a watermill, and a ship. The large windows in the chancel were made in 1900 by a famous artist named C. E. Kempe.

The church has two organs. The Lincoln Organ, built in 1821, is a rare old instrument that has been fully restored. It's used for concerts. The smaller Conrad Noel Memorial Organ was installed in 1952, named after a former vicar.

A large, star-shaped light fixture (candelabra) hangs in the middle of the church. It was put there in 1911 and represents the family tree of Christ. There's also an old statue of the Madonna (Mary) in the south transept, given by an artist named Fred Uhlman.

Monuments and Famous Connections

Brass of fifteenth century priest, reputed to be of Robert Wydow, who was vicar of Thaxted from 1481 to 1489.

On the floor of the church, there's an old metal plaque (a brass) of a priest from the 1400s. People believe it shows Robert Wydow, a poet and musician who was a priest here from 1481 to 1489. There are other memorial stones on the floor too.

Above the south door, you can see the Royal Arms of Queen Anne, painted on a wooden panel. It was restored in 1980.

A five-foot tall stone statue of St Francis of Assisi remembers Eric Makeham, who died in a battle in 1917. His name is also on a famous war memorial in Belgium. In the churchyard, there's also the grave of Private Edward Stamfield Brown, who died in 1919.

You can also see a bronze statue of Conrad Noel, a famous vicar of Thaxted, made by the sculptor Gertrude Hermes.

On the outside wall of the church tower, there's a large stone plaque. It's Thaxted's war memorial, remembering "THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OF THAXTED WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS & IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM."

The famous composer, Gustav Holst, was the church organist here from 1917 to 1925. He started an annual festival at the church. He also wrote many hymns and carols for the church, including the well-known tune for the hymn "I Vow To Thee My Country", which is called Thaxted.

Church Bells

The church has a set of eight bells that can be rung in a special way called change ringing. The oldest bells were made in 1734. Some others were made in 1778 by a famous company in London. The last four bells were made in the 1940s.

These four newer bells have special names and meanings:

• No. 3 is the Justice Bell.
• No. 5 is the Peace Bell.
• No. 7 is the Craft Bell.
• No. 4 is the Dance Bell. This bell has a fun inscription: 'I ring for the general dance'. This comes from a carol that Gustav Holst set to music for the church choir.

The new bells were officially dedicated in 1949.

Images for kids

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  Thaxted Church, dominating the skyline of the town

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  Thaxted Church, from the southeast

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  Thaxted Church, east end

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  Thaxted Church, South Transept

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  Thaxted Church, gargoyle

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  Thaxted Church, grotesque

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  Thaxted Church, Pinnacle

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  Thaxted Church, Tower and West Door

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  Thaxted Church, Spire from south-east

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  Thaxted Church, Spire and South Porch

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  North Porch, Thaxted Church

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  Thaxted Church, South Aisle, looking west

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  Thaxted Church, Nave, looking east

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  Thaxted Church, nave and pulpit

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  Thaxted Church, Nave, looking west

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  Medieval stained glass in Thaxted Church.

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  Interior of Thaxted Church, showing the pulpit.

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  Thaxted Church, North Aisle with the covered font in the distance.

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  Thaxted Church, Tower vault

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  Thaxted Church, Lady Chapel

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  Spire, Thaxted Church

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  Thaxted Church, viewed from Stony Lane.

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  Conrad Noel, Vicar of Thaxted from 1910 to 1942

Notable Vicars of Thaxted

The church has had many vicars (priests) over the centuries. The right to choose the vicar changed hands many times, from monks to the King and Queen, and then to noble families. Today, the Diocese of Chelmsford chooses the vicar.

Here are a few notable vicars:

• Robert Wydow (1481–1489): Born in Thaxted, he was a poet and musician. A brass plaque in the church is thought to be his image.
• Nicholas Wilson (1528–1534): He disagreed with King Henry VIII and was arrested.
• Conrad Le Dispenser Roden Noel (1910–1942): Known as "The Red Vicar of Thaxted," he was a very influential and sometimes controversial figure. He is buried in the churchyard.
• John Cyril "Jack" Putterill (1942–1973): He was Conrad Noel's son-in-law.
• Philip Geoffrey Tarris (2016–2021): He was the Rector when the church joined a larger group of parishes.
• Gerwyn Capon (2023–present): The current vicar, who was previously a Dean (a senior priest) in Wales.