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St Nicholas' Church.
Built in 1895, the church is listed as being of 'special historical interest'. Its architecture is recognised to be a fine example of the Arts and Crafts Movement.There has been a St Nicholas's Church in the parish for over 600 years and there is some evidence that there was one before the time of the Domesday Book. The present church has physical links with the earlier churches.
- Church registers:
- Burials 1813 - 1897
- Marriages 1837 - 1898
- Monuments and gravestones in the old churchyard.
- List of the rectors at St Nicholas's Church since 1344.
- Parish Magazine report on the laying of the Memorial Stone for the new church.
- War memorial - photographs and inscriptions.
The earliest record of a church in Kelvedon Hatch is 1344, although the dedication to St Nicholas can probably be traced back to before the Norman Invasion to Ailric, a Saxon, who was possibly a sailor or captain of a vessel. It is believed that Ailric had a small church built and dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children.
The old church
Until the 20th century, Kelvedon Hatch was a rural parish with a sparse population. In the south of the parish was an area of common land around which were a few scattered cottages. The church was situated two miles to the north of the present church in the grounds of Kelvedon Hall.
In 1540 Kelvedon Hall estate was purchased by John Wright, a yeoman, and it was to remain in his family for the next 400 years. The advowson descended with the manor of Kelvedon Hall until the 19th century. However, from the early 17th century the Wrights became Roman Catholics and lost the right to present incumbents. The medieval church was completely rebuilt in 1753 at a cost of £1,681.
The old church late 19th century
The building of the new church
By the late 19th century, the centre of the parish had shifted away from Kelvedon Hall. The village was expanding on the former common land, and the new school building was also being used for services and prayers.
In 1892, the rector, the Rev. David Peregrine, proposed building a new church. After an energetic fund raising campaign the building commenced in September 1894 and the church was consecrated on 1 November, 1895.
The builders of the church 1895
The new church under construction - 1895
Architecture
The church was designed by John Newman F.R.I.B.A., who lived in the village. His design shows the late Victorian interest in the skill of the craftsman and the rejection of industrialisation. It is built of red brick, left exposed internally, and consists of chancel, nave, organ chamber, vestry and south porch. Above the porch is a small bell tower with a louvred belfry and shingled spire. The impressive hammer beam roof is exposed. The pulpit, lectern, chancel screen and the font cover are fine examples of wrought-iron work and were produced in the same workshop in Maldon, Essex, in 1898.
Church in 1895
The font is late 14th-century and was brought from the old church. There is a small carved face in the upper panel of the font facing east. The pews and bell are also from the old church. The bell, cast circa 1450, is inscribed 'Sancte Andree ora pro nobis' (Saint Andrew pray for us) and probably originated from another church - as yet unidentified.
The silver communion plate, consisting of a chalice and paten, was presented to the church by members of the Luther family of Great Myles's and bear the date 1674.
The window immediately behind the altar contains glass from the old church. The triple window above the altar, representing Our Lord in Glory, with St John and St Paul on either side, was given by a former rector, the Rev. William Orme, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. On the south side of the nave, the Rev. and Mrs Orme are themselves commemorated in a window which depicts St Cecilia. On the same side, a small window in memory of George, 8th Lord Rodney, and another window to the Hon. Simon Rodney who lived at Brizes Park; opposite, is a window to the memory of his wife Sadie. Also on the north side are windows commemorating Mr and Mrs Bertram Jones, Mr John Page Fitch, Mrs Betty Jeffreys and her son David Jeffreys, and Mr Ted Fulcher.
Brass memorials to members of the Wright and Luther families are to be found on the walls. These were recovered from the old church, as were a number of gravestones now in the churchyard. On the wall to the left of the entrance door is a list of the rectors since 1372.
The old church has fallen into disuse and disrepair. It now lies derelict and abandoned in the grounds of Kelvedon Hall. Despite the loss of the building there remains some continuity with the past: the bell, font and pews were moved to the new church.
