OPEN CHURCH SUNDAY

22nd JUNE 2014

The St Albans Diocese will celebrate its centenary on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2014 with a Festival PARISH CHURCHES Day of Fun and Praise. OPEN TO VISITORS

It will be the largest ever gathering of parishioners from across the St Albans Diocese. The event and all activities are free and will take place in 60 acres of beautiful Bedfordshire countryside at the The College Equestrian Centre at Keysoe, north of .

The day includes speakers, musicians, an orchestra, choirs and Christian performers including 'Songs of Praise' presenter Pam Rhodes, singer Jonathan Veira and J. John, the internationally-known Christian story teller and speaker, . There will be choirs and musicians performing traditional and contemporary Christian music throughout the day.

There will be the Essex Dog Display Team, horse display, free fairground rides and the three Bishops will take part in a sheep herding event. Learn and have-a-go at church creativity and art at demonstrations and workshops in flower arranging, icon painting, embroidery, calligraphy and stained-glass making.

Admire classic and vintage cars spanning the 100 years of the St Albans

Diocese, including the entire history of MG and much much more!!

The climax event will be an open air worship service which will include a Eucharist at which Bishop Alan will give an uplifting address.

LOCATIONS, TIMES OF OPENING, ATTRACTIONS For a full list of events and details on what is being planned please visit: www.celebrate100.org.uk

CONTENTS

Deanery Pages

Ampthill & Shefford 1‐3

Bedford 4‐5

Biggleswade 5‐6

Dunstable 7‐8

Luton 8

Sharnbrook 9‐10 Page 12 & SHEFFORD Page 1

AMPTHILL St Andrew the Apostle Church Square, Church Street MK45 2EW Open from: 11am to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Windows (one commemorates Katherine of Aragon). Memorials. Heraldry; 15th Century carved Angels in nave roof.. Guided tours, Organ recitals, Childrens activity sheet, Church book, card & gift stall, concluding with Songs of Praise at 5pm.

ASPLEY GUISE St Botolph Church Street MK17 8HN Open from: 10am to: 4pm Features: ‐ ‐ ‐.

CAMPTON All Saints Rectory Road SG17 5PF Open from: 12.30pm to: 4.30pm Refreshments Features: Osborne Memorials (poet) Robert Bloomfield Grave & Plaque. Beautiful 13th C. Church.

CLIFTON All Saints Church Street SG17 5EL Open from: 10am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: 14th Century Rood Screen Charnel House Only fully working carillon in Beds.

CLOPHILL St Mary the Virgin High Street MK45 4BJ Open from: 9am to: 6pm Refreshments Features: Mediaeval beams from the old church. The East Window is from the modern era. Victorian heads are a fine example of the early use of Pulhamite.. Open Gardens is on, and there are plenty of exhibits and stalls to be seen.

FLITWICK St Peter & St Paul Church Road MK45 1AE Open from: 12noon to: 5pm Strawberry Teas in the Chapter House Features: Bells just been re‐cast and re‐tuned. 12th Century font. Norman Doorway. Information available throughout the Church on the history.

HARLINGTON St Mary the Virgin Church Road LU5 6LE Open from: 12noon to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Bunyan Features ‐ window, altar, exhibition. Renovated Organ. Stained glass memorial to Ivor Clemitson, MP.. Stall including local Harlington honey, bookmarks, cards, also guidebooks.

Page 2 AMPTHILL & SHEFFORD continued… Page 11

HENLOW St Mary Church Road SG16 6AN Open from: 2pm to: 4pm Refreshments Features: 12th Century onwards Stained glass. (inc. new one 2013) Pilgrim fathers connections..

HIGHAM GOBION St Margaret Higham Road SG5 3HR Open from: 10am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Memorial to Cassels. Set of brasses. Hawkins memorial..

MAULDEN St Mary Church Road MK45 2AU Open from: 12noon to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Medieval tower, rest Victorian (B. Ferrey); Scraffito decoration; millennium window; Ailesbury mausoleum in churchyard.. Art Exhibition, Organ Recital & handmade jewellery, cards & preserves.

MEPPERSHALL St Mary the Virgin Church Road SG17 5NA Open from: 12pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Cruciform Norman church with 12th cent. font; Bells ‐ a ground floor ring at the crossing; Walker barrel organ.. Church is on the Bunyan Way with lovely walks and views all around.

MILLBROOK St Michael & All Angels Millbrook Village, follow church signs MK45 2HY Open from: 11am to: 3pm Refreshments Features: 13th cent. and later; Beautiful position on the Bunyan Trail with views over Bedfordshire. historical churchyard with wildlife status.. History Day' exhibition for the Church & Churchyard. Including items of interest and associated with family history of the churchyard.

MILTON BRYAN St Peter Church End MK17 9HR Open from: 1pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Sir Joseph Paxton Stained Glass Window Full of history dating back to 12th Cent. Norman time. Interior architecture & recent repai to porch, beautiful churchyard.. History leaflets, cards and postcard stall for visitors.

Page 10 SHARNBROOK continued… AMPTHILL & SHEFFORD continued… Page 3

SWINESHEAD St Nicholas High Street MK44 2AA SHEFFORD St Michael & All Angels High Street SG17 5DD Open from: 9am to: 6pm Open from: 11.30am to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Frieze on the exterior of the church Traces of wall paintings depicting angels on Features: Lower parts of tower are medieval; Double nave (Late Georgian & Victorian); South aisle. South aisle contains mechanism of 17th C clock.. Forsyth‐Grant organ (his first!).

SHILLINGTON All Saints Church Street SG5 3LH Open from: 9am to: 6pm Sunday teas (3‐5pm) Features: Location (visible for miles around; spectacular views); Accessible crypt. Mediaeval Graffiti, chancel screen & carvings.. The Choir & organ are performing during the serving of teas.

SOUTHILL All Saints Road, SG18 9LL Open from: 10am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Memorial to Admiral Byng; Stained glass; Whitbread pew..

STONDON All Saints Road SG16 6LJ Open from: 12noon to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Victorian church with re‐used 13th cent. doorway; Font from the original Norman building circa. 1150. Memorial window..

WESTONING St Mary Magdalene Church Road MK45 5JW Open from: 1pm to: 5pmTeas, Home Made Cakes & Light lunches (adviseable to book 01525 714064) Features: Early 1300s with evidence of previous churches on this site; Stained glass windows (1895/1903). Link to stained glass at Canterbury. Various memorials, inc. Mr Inge who outlived 3 wives.. Visiting organists playing the new organ (installed Jan 2014)

WOBURN SANDS St Michael Church Road, MK17 8TA Open from: 9am to: 6pm Refreshments Features: Built by Clutton, 1868 and extended later; Rose window. . Music

Page 4 BEDFORD SHARNBROOK Page 9

BEDFORD St Martin Clapham Road MK41 7PW BLETSOE St Mary The Avenue MK44 1QD Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Fine Victorian church. Stunning hanging Rood. Impressive stained glass.. Features: St John Chapel (resting place of Lord St John) Sir John St John Memorial (1559) Guide sheet, quiz, gift stalls, original pictures.

BEDFORD Christ Church 117 Denmark Street MK40 3TJ CARLTON St Mary Turvey Road MK43 7LD Open from: 8.30pm to: late Refreshments inc. BBQ. Open from: 2.30pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: 1950's style. Friendly church members!! . Features: Anglo Saxon stonework 12th Century font with early form of the Green Man Bouncy Castle, Live Music, Juggling & Line Dancing Demonstrations, craft, face painting, motif. Millennium window. teddy bears zip wire from the Church Tower.

BEDFORD St Paul St Paul's Square MK40 1SQ CLAPHAM St Thomas Green Lane MK41 6ER Open from: 2pm to: 4pm Refreshments Open from: 9am to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Bodley screen Trinity chapel memorial to WW2 Stained glass windows. Features: Saxon tower & 6 bells Norman church. Stained glass windows.

BEDFORD St Mark Calder Rise MK41 7UY COLMWORTH St Denys Church Lane MK44 2JU Open from: 10am to: 4pm Open from: to: Features: Modern buildings Chapel with stained glass Landscaped gardens. Features: Built entirely in 1430's ‐ fabric unaltered since. Dyer tomb (1641) with first recorded English poem by a woman. See the split loyalties of her Roundhead and Cavalier sons. Visit Colmworth Country Park and enjoy the view as you walk the boundary. Dogs welcome..

BIDDENHAM St James Church End MK40 4AS KEYSOE St Mary Church Road MK44 2HN Open from: 10am to: 4pm Refreshments (pm) Open from: 10am to: 5pm Refreshments and Cream Tea from 3.30pm Features: Stained glass Millenium Window. Jacoberan Screen. Monuments & brasses.. Features: Begun in 12th cent, church was built in 2 stages ‐ added to in 15th cent. Font Plant stall has a Norman French inscription around the base. Plaque on tower telling of a man who fell from the top and had a miraculous escape from serious injury.. Photographic exhibition of the Church, events gift stall.

CARDINGTON St Mary Church Lane MK44 3SR OAKLEY St Mary Church Lane MK43 7RU Open from: 10am to: 6pm Refreshments (pm) Open from: 3pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Whitbread Chapel R101 Memorial plaque & artefacts Five Norma Gargoyles on Features: 15th cent. rood screen (with medieval painting); Ancient wooden chest the exterior, The Church tower will be open. Medieval font.. Bell ringing, guided tours, exhibition of artifacts. St Peter & St Paul Court Road MK43 0DR Open from: 12noon to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Commandment boards New Reordering works Grave of Capt Swabey.

Page 8 continued… BEDFORD continued… Page 5

STUDHAM St Mary the Virgin Church Road LU6 2NW GOLDINGTON St Mary the Virgin Church Lane MK41 0AP Open from: 10am to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 12noon to: 6pm Refreshments Features: War memorial panels and photographic memorial. Beautiful Norman font carved Features: Combination of 15th & 20th cent. Architecture. 14th cent. Font. 16th cent. with animals and foliage 13th cent. Foliate capitals.. brasses. Information leaflet available Exhibition boards, tower trips and craft stalls.

WHIPSNADE St Mary Magdalene LU6 2LL All Saints The Grove MK45 1AE Open from: 12noon to: 4pm Refreshments Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: One of the earliest brick churches in the country. Peaceful setting on the edge of Features: Houghton Family Banner. Splendid stained glass in east window. restoration of the village green. 18th C. features, inc. Royal Coat of Arms & 19th C. Apse.. tower (built c.1400).. Photographs of Restoration work

KEMPSTON All Saints Church End MK43 8RH Open from: 10am to: 6pm Refreshments (11.30am onwards) LUTON Features: Norman chancel Arch. Anglo Saxon traces in brickwork of chancel. Crusader Stone.

LUTON All Saints Shaftesbury Road LU4 8AH RENHOLD All Saints Church End MK41 0LX Open from: 1pm to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 10am to: 4pm Features: Built in 1923, architect WD Caroe Tile detail in arches Situated in a mainly Muslim Features: Norman font; Prayerful Atmosphere Beautiful location. area of Bury Park, the Church is looking to adapt to retain its presence in this part of Luton.. Services 11am & 6pm, Bookstall

MARSH FARM Holy Cross 40 Purway Close LU3 3RT Open from: 10am to: Refreshments Features: Modern architecture (1976) Large Stained Glass Cross The Exterior does not do BIGGLESWADE justice to the interior..

SUNDON St Mary Manor Road LU3 3NZ BIGGLESWADE St Andrew's Shortmead Street SG18 0JB Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 11.30am to: 6pm Refreshments Features: Ancient screen and pews. Parish chest. Wall Paintings.. Features: 15th cent porch and priest’s room. New North Doors and 'Access for All' Fine Summer fair, stalls activities and local history exhibition. stained glass (incl. Millennium window)..

COCKAYNE HATLEY St John the Baptist SG19 2EA Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Magnificent Flemish woodwork. 14th Century stained glass window. 19th Century stained glass by Willement.. Tower open ‐ weather permitting.

Page 6 BIGGLESWADE continued… DUNSTABLE Page 7

COPLE All Saints Grange Lane MK44 3UJ with EDLESBOROUGH St Mary the Virgin High Street LU6 2DP Open from: 10am to: 4pm Open from: 8am to: 5.30pm At St Mary's Edlesborough (1 mile away) Features: Powell pressed glass windows. 15th Century graves with brasses. Brass of a Knight Features: Splendid arcades with intricately carved capitals. 13th cent. font; Amazing in full armour.. scrollwork hinges on the South door (13th cent.).. See www.edlesboroughchurch.org.uk

EYEWORTH All Saints High Street SG19 2HH HEATH & REACH St Leonard Leighton Road, LU7 0AA Open from: 11am to: 4pm Open from: 12.30pm to: 5pm Features: Old Building In a field Peaceful setting. Features: Late Georgian church with semi‐circular apse. Light & bright. Lovely stained glass window in th porch..

MOGGERHANGER St John the Evangelist Road MK44 3RD All Saints High Street LU5 5DJ Open from: 11am to: 4pm Open from: 8.30am to: 4.30pm Refreshments Features: Victorian church in French Gothic style; Stained glass windows. Community shop Features: Norman Font of 'Aylesbury' type. Impressive Bell Tower. Sewell Tomb.. in vestry.. Photo's of Church now and then, nearly new, books, religious goods etc.

NORTHILL St Mary the Virgin Road SG18 9AA St Mary the Virgin Church End LU6 3RA Open from: 12.30am to: 5pm Open from: 10am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Font dedicated to Francis Potts, Hymn writer. 17th C stained glass windows Large Features: Norman (& later) Church. Stained glass window previously displayed at London 14th C church for small village. Exhibition. Carvins of Aesop's Fables around Church doors.. Small exhibition of local history photographs

SANDY St Swithun High Street SG19 1AQ LEIGHTON BUZZARD All Saints Church Square LU7 1AE Open from: 11.30am to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 10am to: 4pm Features: Stained glass windows. Connections with Pym & Peel families; Statue of Sir Wm Features: Late 13th cent. town church; Medieval wooden eagle lectern; Kempe windows; Peel.. Simon & Nel and other graffiti.. Tower open. Preserves & books for sale. Musical entertainment.

TEMPSFORD St Peter Church Street SG19 2AN St Mary Old Linslade Road LU7 0DU Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Afternoon Tea Open from: 2.30pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Mediaeval Building Interesting brasses & memorials Interesting medieval carved font.. A display of history of the Church WILLINGTON St Lawrence Church End MK44 3PU LINSLADE St Barnabus Waterloo Road LU7 2NR Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments Open from: 2pm to: 7.30pm Features: Built in reign of Henry VIII; Gostwick helmet replica; East window; new organ in Features: Victorian stained glass inc. by Kempe & Morris. Attractive Edwardian pews 2012.. Original 1st WW battlefield memorial crosses. Book stall & Fairtrade.