I was cycling idly southwards from Hertford last week and saw the church. The door was open; a board declared that it was OPEN. It was a delight and surprising. Built in 1932 - I could not find out why - it was clearly a gently significant church in the area. I could not see any organ there though might have missed it. Perhaps the most curious item was a panel evidently a replica from the Parthenon Frieze in Athens, partly obscured by an iron ladder leading to the dome above. Again, I could not see a reason for the panel's presence.
I bought a parish magazine, which had on the front a photograph of a couple I thought I knew from Hertford, and have been looking out for them since.
The church itself has echoes of a mediaeval grange, withy wooden beams. It is set amidst lawns, beautifully kept, and is clearly respected by the community. The best thing about it was that it was, indeed, open. I pass many a church which I cannot enter and have to contemplate from its external appearance. Many thanks.
It is very encouraging to see the unity offered by the group of otherwise disparate parishes - an essential component in a world of declining worship.
Only one jarring note yelled out at me. Amongst your classified advertisements was one from a person I know to be a complete fraud in the business he runs. One day he will be found out, but he covers his tracks well.
Janet Crooks
My mother and my husbands parents both have headstones in the church grounds. Beautiful picturesque small church worth a visit.
Diana Perkins
Lovely little 1930s church in very pleasant surroundings.
John Crooks
Beautiful old Chapel
Malcolm Skinner
Rose R
A beautiful and timeless place with a wonderful sense of peace as soon as you walk in. Grounds are immaculate. I am the third generation frequenting this church and love it.
Richard Beale
Interesting looking church, The Chapel of the Holy Cross and St Alban, Brickendon, was built in 1932 on land donated by Minnie Kingsley and with funds given by Mrs Kingsley and her daughter Constance Demain Saunders. The chapel was consecrated on 27 May 1933 by the Bishop of Bedford. At this time, part of Brickendon was transferred from the ecclesiastical parish of All Saints, Hertford, to the parish of St. Mary, Bayford. Further parts of Brickendon were transferred to Bayford parish from All Saints, as well as from St Augustines, Broxbourne, in about 2007. Dedicated to the Holy Cross of Waltham, with which Brickendon has historic links, and the patron saint of the diocese, the chapel is a chapel of ease in the ecclesiastical parish of Bayford, part of the Hartford Hundred West group of churches.
Martyn Fisher2 years ago
So small and beautiful, went there to see one of my wife's cousins grand child christenings.
It was a delight and surprising. Built in 1932 - I could not find out why - it was clearly a gently significant church in the area. I could not see any organ there though might have missed it. Perhaps the most curious item was a panel evidently a replica from the Parthenon Frieze in Athens, partly obscured by an iron ladder leading to the dome above. Again, I could not see a reason for the panel's presence.
I bought a parish magazine, which had on the front a photograph of a couple I thought I knew from Hertford, and have been looking out for them since.
The church itself has echoes of a mediaeval grange, withy wooden beams. It is set amidst lawns, beautifully kept, and is clearly respected by the community. The best thing about it was that it was, indeed, open. I pass many a church which I cannot enter and have to contemplate from its external appearance. Many thanks.
It is very encouraging to see the unity offered by the group of otherwise disparate parishes - an essential component in a world of declining worship.
Only one jarring note yelled out at me. Amongst your classified advertisements was one from a person I know to be a complete fraud in the business he runs. One day he will be found out, but he covers his tracks well.
Dedicated to the Holy Cross of Waltham, with which Brickendon has historic links, and the patron saint of the diocese, the chapel is a chapel of ease in the ecclesiastical parish of Bayford, part of the Hartford Hundred West group of churches.