"The 51 timber planks you see here today date from about 1060, although excavations undertaken in the chancel in 1960 revealed the existence of two earlier timber structures dating from the 6th, and 7th centuries, around the time that St. Cedd began his work of converting the Saxons to Christianity. The church bears witness to the work of Saxon, Norman, Tudor and Victorian builders who variously extended, repaired and restored the building over the ages. In 1848/9 the church underwent severe restoration works, and in 1990 works were undertaken to stabilise the church as it stands today, whilst in 2005 the spire was completely re-shingled in Oak."
I thought of the title and the inspiration came, Sue of Suffolk and her churches, why don't I go over some of the happiest times in my life and potter around the churches Paul and I would visit. By the time we got to Yorkshire Paul had got tired of church visiting, but in those first few years he happily drove me for these explorations into the countryside.
So the church that I have copied the words from above is from the wooden Anglo-Saxon Essex church at Greensted, beautifully preserved in Victorian times, a gem that sits in the countryside amongst green fields.
History has so many jewels to pick from but I chose the Anglo-Saxon period. The Prittlewell Saxon burial where the first glimmerings of Paganism was being overtaken by Christianity in the burial of a king. I loved the way religions clashed in the minds of the sons as they buried their father, pagan tributes but also two gold crosses.
Greensted Church is a peaceful place to visit on a sunny afternoon, the table of jams and chutneys greet you when you open the door, the wooden interior slightly unusual in our Norman stone churches are decorated with favourite topics of old England, the sheaves, the crown, etc.
What an exquisite building - oure magic Thelma. When you lived up here did you ever get as far as visiting Hubberholme church in Wharfedale? It has a lovely atmosphere and was the favourite haunt of JB Priestley whose ashes are scattered here/
ReplyDeleteNo Pat never visited Hubberholme, we had three good churches round here, Lastingham, Kirkdale and Pickering. Then there was the Lythe one with its museum of Viking stones down in the crypt.
ReplyDeleteI like the wooden pegs in the beams - ancient carpentry and its practical solutions is always amaazing
ReplyDeleteThere is a stoup outside for holy water on the back wall. Why was it outside? The mind tends to get blown away by the age of the planks of wood which would have been cut down hundreds of years before Mark. There is another church we visited and in one field there were the relicts of old oak trees, a thousand years old killed by salt, whether in the water or in the air I don't know.
ReplyDeleteThis church is astounding and the carving on the roof panels is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThere are not many wooden churches around and this one has been well preserved Joanne.
DeleteI love visiting these places on your blog. It makes me realise how little I have explored my own country.
ReplyDeleteYou would think Essex was just Essex girls and gypsies Tom, but it has plenty to offer.
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