This time took my road warrior skills to go again to jolly England with the Le Shuttle train service (see post), and my Ford ; towing along my good boys and wonderful Rex! It was a very nice trip going into the countryside and seeing several towns of wonderul architecture and history, This one is a must and one of our highlights of the trip, we had our encounter with Beaconsfield, and it was nice! Therefore, let me tell you on the Saint Mary and All Saints Church of Beaconsfield in England !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Saint Mary and All Saints Church, area around the altar is known as the Sanctuary The East window has a central motif of the Crucifixion, with the virgin Mary and St. John on either side. On the left are six female saints: Cecilia, Fridesweide, Margaret, Catherine, Helena and Mary Magdelene. On the right side are six male saints: Peter, Benedict, Edmund, Augustine, Laurence and Sebastian. Near the apex sits Christ throned in glory, blessing the world, with the Archangel Gabriel on his right and the Archangel Michael on his left.The reredos behind the altar depicts the Crucifixion, with female saints in heaven on the left and male saints on earth on the right.
The Lady Chapel is to the right of the altar. The 16C oak screen doorway is decorated with six rosettes: two Tudor roses for Henry VIII, two pomegranates for his queen, Catherine of Aragon, and two fleurs-de-lys for the Virgin Mary. The Baptismal font is besides the South door, reminding the congregation that they enter the church through baptism.
The pulpit was given in 1869, with the three panels carved by Matilda.The carved screen under the organ loft is part 13C, part 16C and closely resembles the screen on the North aisle of the Lady Chapel. The bells are over 300 years, with the then five bells being recast in 1722.The clock on the second floor of the tower was made in 1885. The escapement is similar to that used for Big Ben with a temperature-compensated pendulum which enable it to keep excellent time.
Kneelers in church, or to use their original name, ‘hassocks’, serve several purposes. Many people prefer to kneel when praying and a kneeler makes this more comfortable by avoiding contact with the hard, cold floor. They also enhance the image of the church, with over 300 kneelers at St Mary’s adding a warmth and beauty to the church, and encourage a memory of the members of the congregation who embroidered them with their skill and dedication.The kneelers in St Mary’s Church are over 50 years old
The Saint Mary and All Saints Church,has served the community since at least 1210. Little is known of the church architecture before 1420. It was evidently a well-constructed church with a tower, because in 1420 the Lord of the Manor made a grant towards the upkeep of the belfry and in 1542 John Waller left money to top it with a small steeple. In 1634 and 1657 Inspectors of Churches reported that the fabric was badly in need of repair. In 1705 the rights of patronage passed to Magdalen College, (see post) Oxford, who funded extensive repairs in 1720. As the population grew a larger church was needed, so between 1869 and 1885 a major building programme was undertaken, resulting in one of the finest churches in the Chilterns.
The Beaconsfield team churches on Saint Mary’s Church (text taken from) : https://www.beaconsfieldteam.church/stmaryandallsaints.htm
The Beaconsfield Historical Society on the church : https://www.beaconsfieldhistory.org.uk/content/beaconsfield-history/churches/st-mary-all-saints-church-2
The Beaconsfield town council on its history : https://www.beaconsfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk/our-community/history/
The South East England tourist office on Beaconsfield : https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/places-to-visit/beaconsfield-p92431
There you go folks , do dare drive in jolly England, it’s an adventure of a lifetime, and you will be back !!! as we have lol! Until another round chasing Sherlock we will be saying elementary my dear Watson to you all. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Saint Mary and All Saints Church of Beaconsfield in England !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
