Ladies' Guild Meeting - October 2008
To some people, the word 'reclamation' brings to mind yards full of old building materials or the recovery of land or goods. However, the evening we spent hearing about the reclamation of the beautiful church of All Saints at Chalgrave made us think of nothing of the sort.
We arrived at 7:30 pm on 1st October. The driveway up to the church creates an impression of remoteness and charm, augmented by the lack of nearby properties. We later heard that the car park had once been the site of a row of cottages.
Peter Freeman had invited us to learn about the church and to hear him play the organ. He started by telling us that he changed his life 45 years ago by stopping commuting to Westminster and taking a job in an office in Houghton Regis. As there wasn't a nearby café, he devised a plan to alleviate the boredom while eating his sandwiches. Using a map, he found 19 local churches to visit during lunch; one of which was Chalgrave.
This first visit started a lifetime interest for Peter and a revival for the church. He found a sandy path across a field, waist high in grass with hemlock growing nearby which led to the church. The interior was very sad as it contained leaves, dead birds and broken glass. Slime was developing on the walls and there were no rails or furniture, except the back pews. There wasn't even any lighting or heating although the church had a captivating charm with beautiful arches, two wide aisles and a short tower. Part of the tower had fallen in a storm in 1888 and so, as there were no funds for rebuilding, it was made good, but shorter. The three bells were rehung and still peal today.
In 1976, with help from a group of friends, many from Streatley, Peter held a flower festival in the church. Although the congregation averaged only seven people, the event raised £200; almost £2,400 in today's prices. From these humble beginnings grew the restoration of the church, which now seems endless and ongoing.
Much research was needed to discover how the church once looked. Old pictures and photographs have helped to show the original furnishings. However, one picture in particular, copied from a sketch made in 1813, has helped to answer many puzzles. The picture shows that the church once had a rood screen, along with fifteenth century pews and a three-decker pulpit, which one vicar burned as it had woodworm. The church also contained a royal coat of arms above the archway, boards which displayed the Ten Commandments and a churchwardens' chest with three keys so that the priest and the two churchwardens had to be present to open it.
So far, the church has had a new roof, floors, carpets, furniture, linen, vestments, plumbing, kitchen, power and heating. The building now contains a beautiful stained glass window, which shows the church, fields, poppies and cornflowers as well as a golden cross. This is a tribute to Grace and Albert who worked tirelessly for funds for many years.
Peter first played a harmonium at the church but was delighted when the church received an organ from a church that was to be used for worship by Sikhs. This organ, with additions to improve it, is put to wonderful use as we heard later.
Excavating, to lay the new floor led to two discoveries. Firstly, that the huge pillars stand on bare earth and secondly that that there had been a burial in front of the south aisle altar. Parish records validated the burial and so the body was reinterred.
An old deckchair canvas hanging from a water pipe once marked a doorway into the ground floor level of the tower. Now the first floor of the tower is the easiest to heat and houses the children who come for morning service.
The church was dedicated, on the site of an earlier church, on Holy Cross Day in 1220. This was three years before the dedication of St George's in Toddington. The oldest part is the north aisle; the other side is dated 1380.
The church used to be serviced by monks from Dunstable Priory. The tomb of Sir Nigel Loring KG reminds us of the history of a once thriving village with a Manor House and up to 900 residents. The gravestones also give some understanding of local history. For instance, the father of Arnold Bennett is buried there.
In 1846, an archdeacon reported that the church had a deplorable appearance; it was neglected, damp and dirty. The Medieval murals, whitewashed over for many years, probably in Puritan times, were rediscovered by chance when a cleaner knocked a broom against a wall. Restoration found eighteen saints and a nativity scene. This led to many visitors coming to inspect these treasures.
Our evening continued with tea and then Peter played beautiful music for us, including Walton's Coronation March along with some modern classics. Candle sconces gleamed in the electric light whilst stone pillars, arches and carved heads attended, as did we, to the magnificent sound of the organ in the beautiful church in the field.
All Saints is still 'work in progress' but progress has certainly been made. The church is a credit to all those who have worked for it and an inspiration for others.