January 2021 Speaker
Once again due to Covid restrictions this meeting was organised as a Zoom meeting by our Chairman Maurice liaising with our speaker, Rev’d Dr Nicholas Henderson. He gave us a very informative power point presentation on English Country Churches and how they originated and adapted over the centuries from their Roman and Saxon origins.
Many of these churches are situated close to village greens and possibly this is because in the very early days before Christianity came to our country the village green was the centre for the Maypole and Morris Dancers who symbolised Pagan worship.
In 1660’s the Maypole changed to a ladder and when Christianity came this was then represented by the Steeples of the churches, which were built at the centre of the villages.
Yew trees were also a feature of the early churchyards, these were a pagan feature as they are everlasting and many still exist around old churches. Nicholas showed us a wonderful photo of a church in Stow on the Wold which had these trees carved into the pillars of the main doorway. Another Essex church of interest was St Andrews on Greensted Green where the original oak timbers, which made the original walls are still visible, probably built in 845 AD.
He also mentioned famous venues over the country including Glastonbury, St Alban’s Cathedral, Chichester and Canterbury Cathedrals, many of which I am sure our members have visited on various holidays over the years.
Another interesting item was the round towers of the Norfolk and Suffolk churches. These were built like this so that the defenders of the Christian churches could see any of the invaders from across the North Sea approaching from any angle.
Nicholas also explained the architecture of the churches, the Rood Screen up in the back of the church and the Sanctuary with the altar to separate the clergy from the congregation and the Chantry Chapels. Some of the Rood Screens have been removed but the tiny spiral stone staircases are still accessible. Also the leper squints, places for ill or naughty people to reside!
On a brighter side the wonderful stained glass windows and domes inside the churches and cathedrals, especially Kings College Cambridge which we usually see in the Christmas Carol services. Grotesque gargoyles and Doom paintings were also mentioned, but Nicholas lifted our spirits in the difficult time with all his amazing knowledge.