DIOCESE OF

OPEN CHURCH SUNDAY

23rd JUNE 2013

HERTFORDSHIRE PARISH CHURCHES OPEN TO VISITORS

LOCATIONS, TIMES OF OPENING, ATTRACTIONS

CONTENTS

Deanery Pages

Barnet 1

Berkhamsted 1

Bishop’s Stortford 1

Buntingford 2

Cheshunt 3

Hemel Hempstead 3

Hertford & Ware 4

Hitchin 4‐6

Rickmansworth 6‐7

Saint Albans 8

Stevenage 9

Watford 9‐11

Welwyn Hatfield 11

Wheathampstead 12 Page 12 BARNET Page 1

FLAMSTEAD St Leonard High Street AL3 8BS LYONSDOWN Holy Trinity 18 Lyonsdown Road EN5 1JE Open from: 3pm to: 6pm Strawberry Teas from 3‐5pm. Open from: 7.30am to: 7.30pm (closed between 1pm to 5.45pm) Features: Superb medieval wall paintings. The medieval graffiti., A 15th Century tomb.. Features: Victorian church (Ewan Christian, 1865); Welcoming to all; Committed to Talk at 5pm by Nicola Lowe about the wall‐ paintings. prayerful preaching of God’s word and glorifying God in the community.. Services at 7.30, 9.30, 11.15 & 6.00

HARPENDEN St Nicholas Church Green AL5 2TP Open from: 2pm to: 5.30pm Vintage teas Features: Nativity Chapel mural and stained glass by Frank Salisbury, 6 Acts of Mercy BERKHAMPSTEAD window., 15th Century tower.. Musical programme in the afternoon; displays of activities; quiet area in our Nativity BOURNE END St John the Evangelist London Road HP1 2RU Chapel. Open from: 12pm to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Internal Decoration, Architect, Parish Room.

SANDRIDGE St Leonard Church End AL4 9DL PUTTENHAM St Mary Church Lane HP23 4PR Open from: 2pm to: 6pm Refreshments Open from: 10am to: 4.30pm Refreshments 4.30 ‐ 5.30pm Features: Roman bricks in chancel arch & chancel masonry; Medieval carvings & Victorian Features: Original nave roof, richly carved; Rustic 17th cent. pulpit; notable brasses; monuments in chancel. 14th cent. stone screen & 21st cent. engraved glass screen.. Thankful (WW1) church & village.. Craft/Preserve stall WIGGINGTON St Bartholomew Hemp Lane HP23 6HE Open from: 8am to: 7pm Refreshments Features: Late medieval, completely renewed in late‐19th cent.; 15th cent. chamber at west end; Windows; organ.. Friends of Bartholomew History Society stall.

BISHOP’S STORTFORD

HOCKERILL All Saints Stanstead Road CM23 2DY Open from: 8am to: 6pm Refreshments Features: Large and noble building designed by Stephen Dykes Bower. Fine Organ. Set in large peaceful and well kept Churchyard.. Vestments, Music, and secondhand books etc.

SACOMBE St Catherine Ware SG11 0JJ Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Memorials by Rysbrack and Flaxman; 14th cent. double sedilia and piscina; Churchyard a wildlife site.. Exhibition of paintings and ceramics.

Page 2 continued… Page 11

ANSTEY St George St Georges End SG9 0TJ WATFORD St Michael & All Angels Mildred Avenue WD18 7DY Open from: 9am to: 5pm Open from: 10.45am to: 11.45am Refreshments Features: Beautiful with many special features. 12th cent & later, Font with mermen; stalls Features: Mosaic of Baptistry, Carved Stations of the Cross, Dramatic Rood‐beam. with misericords. Services at other times during the day.

ASPENDEN St Mary SG9 9PG WATFORD St Mary Church Street WD18 0EG Open from: 9.30am to: 4.30pm Refreshments Open from: 10am to: 2pm Refreshments Features: 13th‐16th cent., Clifford Tomb. Fine stained glass windows. Features: 13th‐15th cent., Grade 1 listed, A friendly & welcoming church on the High Street with a great witness to the people of Watford. Morison monuments.. Christian Music Group Face2Face performing on the grass area outside the Church.

BALDOCK St Mary Street SG7 5AD Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Impressive 14th cent. tower, Knight Templar grave, 15th cent. screens. HATFIELD

BRENT PELHAM St Mary the Virgin SG9 0HE DIGSWELL St John the Evangelist Monks Rise AL8 7NX Open from: 9am to: 5pm Open from: 9.30am to: 6pm Features: Beautiful with unique features. 13th cent tomb slab, Impressive 14th cent door. Features: c.1200 church with modern extension (1960‐62); fine medieval brasses; Australian WW1 memorial..

HORMEAD St Nicholas Horseshoe Lane SG9 0NH St Mary North Mymms Park AL9 7TN Open from: 9am to: 5pm Open from: 2pm to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Late 13th cent. and onwards (heavily restored), Beautiful and well preserved, Plain Features: 14th cent. church in rural setting; Unusual brasses & monuments; Churchyard Norman Font. kept in excellent condition.. Bell Tower open.

MEESDEN St Mary SG9 0AZ Christ the King , Haldens 73 Haldens AL7 1DH Open from: 9am to: 5pm Open from: 11.30am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Beautiful church in remote setting; 14th cent. tiled floor; Tudor brick porch. Features: Large wooden statues of crucifixion & Mary with baby Jesus. . Prayer station ‐ opportunity to pray before wooden statues. WESTON Holy Trinity Church Lane SG4 7DJ Open from: 10am to: 4pm Features: Norman cruciform church; 15th cent. octagonal font; Living Churchyard.

WYDDIAL St Giles SG9 0EL Open from: 9am to: 5pm Features: Excellent Tudor north aisle & chancel chapel; 17th cent. screens; Brasses.

Page 10 WATFORD continued… Page 3

BUSHEY St Paul Hall Road WD23 2HJ CUFFLEY St Andrew Plough Hill EN6 4DR Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 12pm to: 4pm Features: Modern Altar, Arts & Crafts features (1904), Small Gallery. Features: 1965 A‐frame building. Fused stained glass windows. Sculpture by Angela Photograph Exhibition, Church History, Playgroup Info. Connor.

BUSHEY HEATH St Peter High Road WD23 1FG GOFF'S OAK St James St James Road EN7 6TP Open from: 11am to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 11.30am to: 6pm Light afternoon tea. Features: Window by Henry Holiday., Local Artwork. Landmark tower. Features: General ambience after re‐ordering. Millenium patchwork of Village life. Oasis Childrens Quiz of tranquility.. Photographic exhibition ‐ Village life/Church life over several decades.

LEAVESDEN All Saints Horseshoe Lane WD25 0LU NORTHAW St Thomas a Becket Vineyards Road EN6 4NW Open from: 12pm to: 4pm Refreshments Open from: 12pm to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Fine Victorian church (1853 – Gilbert Scott); Rood beam; War Memorials (2); 100 Features: Grade II* listed building (1882); Unusual 'Arts and Crafts' style murals; Historic year old Lewis organ; Carillon of bells played from a keyboard.. 'Father' Willis organ.

WATFORD Christ Church St Albans Road WD24 5BD TURNFORD St Clements Cheshunt Wash EN8 0LU Open from: 9.30am to: 4.30pm Refreshments Open from: 10.30am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: War memorial, Memorials for Harrow & Wealdstone Train disaster, Binns organ.. Features: Welcoming and prayerful atmosphere; Link to Rochford Nurseries; Proximity to Children's Activities. Organ recitals and a chance to play. Lea Valley Park.. African Drums to try. Information display on War Memorials. WATFORD St Andrew Church Road WD17 4PY Open from: 8am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Thwaites & Reed Turret Close, presented to St Andrew's in 1883; Window with 9 Flemish medallions (c. 1640); Fine 3‐manual Brindley & Foster Organ in near original condition.. Tour of the Church throughout the day. Organ recital, 2.00‐2.45. Fair‐trade Stall.

WATFORD St John the Apostle and Evangelist Sutton Road WD17 2QQ HEMEL HEMPSTEAD St Mary High Street, Old Town HP1 3AE Open from: 9am to: 4pm Refreshments Open from: 12pm to: 6pm Refreshments Features: Architecturally significant with stunning interior woodwork; Magnificent organ; Features: Norman Church built 1150 ‐ 1180. Lead‐clad timber spire; Stone‐vaulted Prayerful space in the heart of Watford with a warm welcome inclusive to all.. chancel.. Service at 10.00 (coffee afterwards). Organ Recital, 3.00. Stewards will be on hand to answer any questions.

WATFORD St Luke's Langley Way WD17 3EG Open from: 8am to: 8.30pm (closed 1‐6pm) Refreshments after morning service. Features: Modern (2006) facilities for the community & church users; Stained glass windows; Newly refurbished chapel. Bookstall

Page 4 & WARE Page 9

HERTFORD St Andrew St Andrews Street SG14 1HZ ASTON St Mary Broadwater Lane SG2 7EJ Open from: 8am to: 7pm Refreshments 11.30am ‐ 12pm Open from: 10am to: 6pm Refreshments Features: Prayer Corner and quiet chapel. 15th cent. north doorway. Lovely High Victorian Features: Bells and Bell ringers. Stained Glass Windows, Churchyard. altar & reredos.. Eucharist at 8am and 10.30am, Baptism at 12.45. St Mary Old Knebworth Lane SG3 6PY Open from: 10am to: 5pm Refreshments St Mary St Marys Lane SG14 2LE Features: In Knebworth Park, near the House (separate free access to church). Origins of Open from: 8am to: 7pm Church 900 years ago. Fine collection of monuments with some of the County's finest Features: Idyllic village setting. Tombs of Cowper family (one by Roubiliac) and Calvert sculptures.. family (founder of Maryland USA). . Children's Picture Quiz, Brass rubbing, Handbells, Tower Bell ringing demonstrations, Services at 8.00, 9.15 & 6.30. Organ recital (early pm), parachuting teddy bears from the Tower.

HITCHIN STEVENAGE St Nicholas Rectory Lane SG1 4DA Open from: 8am to: 6pm Refreshments with a Barbeque over lunchtime. Features: Oldest church in Stevenage set on the edge of stunning Forster country; GREAT St Mary The Green SG4 7HA Ancient misericords, font rood screens & rood‐stair; Hunt the mice on our Mouse‐man Open from: 10am to: 5.30pm Refreshments pews.. Features: Norman with apse and barrel roof. South Door dated 1120, Beautifully restored Tours of the church available from 11.00‐4.00. tower..

HITCHIN St Faith Woolgrove Road SG4 0AS WATFORD Open from: 2pm to: 4pm Refreshments Features: ‐, ‐, ‐. Mothers Union, Aftereights, Rainbows, Sunday School, live music. ABBOT'S LANGLEY St Lawrence High Street WD5 0AS Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments HITCHIN St Mary's Churchyard SG5 1DW Features: Fine Norman arches (ca. 1154), Restored after fire in 1969, Pope, Adrian IV Open from: 2pm to: 5pm associations. Features: Said to be the "largest and jolliest Churches in ". 15th Century carved Historic registers on loan from County Hall. Angel Screen. 12‐sided apostle font.. ABBOT'S LANGLEY Church of the Ascension, Bedmond Church Hill WD5 HOLWELL St Peters Pirton Road SG5 3SR 0RN Open from: 11am to: 2pm Open from: 12pm to: 4pm Features: Rebuilt (Ewan Christian, 1877), using older materials. Early 16th cent. chalice Features: One of the few surviving 'Tin Tabernacles', 1888, Birthplace of only English brass. Pope, Adrian IV. . Historic registers. St Katharine Arlesey Road SG5 3YJ Open from: 12pm to: 3pm Cream Teas BUSHEY St James High Street WD23 1BD Features: Nave dates from 1150. Pargetting on East Wall. Stained glass windows (one by Open from: 8am to: 6pm Refreshments Kempe). Exhibition of Ickleford Mills. Features: 14th cent timber roof, Arms of Queen Anne painted above the beam at E end of nave. Victorian cast iron decoration on north door. Page 8 SAINT ALBANS HITCHIN continued… Page 5

ALDENHAM St John the Baptist Church Lane WD25 8BE KING'S WALDEN St Mary Church Road SG4 8JX Open from: 9.30am to: 7.30pm Refreshments Open from: 11am to: 6pm Refreshments Features: 13th Century Grade 1 Listed building. Picturesque setting. Open graveyard. With Features: Intact painted medieval rood screen. stained glass windows by William Morris. dug out chest.. Other windows by Kempe.. Flower festival

FROGMORE Holy Trinity Park Street AL2 2JU St Mary the Virgin Letchworth Lane SG6 3NP Open from: 9am to: 6pm Refreshments Open from: 9am to: 4pm Refreshments from 10.30am Features: Very early church by Sir George Gilbert Scott with interesting apse. Children's Features: Oldest building in Letchworth (c.1150 nave); Knights Templar Graffiti; Victorian work displays. Priority of God's word in all that we do.. wall scroll.. Exhibits from church groups; slide show on the big screen. Services at 9.00 (followed by Service 9.00‐10.00. 11.00 & 2.00 History Tour. coffee), 10.30 All age service (followed by refreshments); 4.30 Informal service in Parish Centre. LETCHWORTH St Michael the Archangel Broadway SG6 3PQ Open from: 10.30am to: 4.30pm Refreshments SAINT ALBANS St Luke Cell Barnes Lane AL1 5RB Features: Church in The Round (1967). . Open from: 12pm to: 4pm Refreshments Communion,10.30‐11.30; 2.00‐3.30pm "Messy Church". Features: Stained glass window representing the church vision. Last chance to see the interior before refurbishment, ‐. LILLEY St Peters West Street LU2 8LN Craft Demonstrations & trade craft items. Open from: 9.30am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: "The Walkers" Church ‐ lots of countryside walkers stop by and detour to the Church. Victorian (Thomas Jekyll, architect); Good Victorian stained glass. SAINT ALBANS St Saviours 23 Sandpit Lane AL1 4DF Open from: 10am to: 4pm LITTLE WYMONDLEY St Mary the Virgin Church Path SG4 7JE Features: ‐, ‐, ‐. Open from: 12pm to: 4.30pm Refreshments Features: 12th‐15th cent building;, Chancel and nave of equal length; Rood staircase..

SAINT ALBANS St Michael St Michaels Street AL3 4SL St Mary Magdelane Walden Road SG5 3DU Open from: 12pm to: 6pm Refreshments in the Parish Centre from 2.30 pm ‐ 5pm. Open from: 10.30am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: On the site of the Roman Basilica of Verulamium (?venue for the trial of St Alban); Features: 18th cent. chancel with interesting monuments; 14th cent. font; Leaning Monument to Francis Bacon (philosopher & Lord Chancellor); Wooden ‘Doom’ painting pillars.. (possibly 13th cent.). Talk by Revd. Kenneth Padley: 'Stories in Stained Glass', 2.30 & 3.30.

SAINT ALBANS St Peter St Peters Street AL1 3HG SAINT IPPOLYTS Stevenage Road SG4 7PE Open from: 2pm to: 5.30pm Refreshments Open from: 11am to: 4pm Refreshments Features: Imposing central tower the highest point in St Albans; Bright stained glass Features: Knights of Temple Dinsley carved Crusader crosses. St Ippolyts, with horses windows by Belgian artist, Capronnier; Ancient churchyard with War of the Roses burials. and ponies, depicted on Church banner. Wonderful Congregation!!. Historical display. Bell Ringing.

Page 6 HITCHIN continued… RICKMANSWORTH continued… Page 7

SAINT PAUL'S WALDEN St Martin, Preston Church Lane SG4 7TP St Andrew Quickley Lane WD3 5AE Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Open from: 2pm to: 5.30pm Refreshments from 2‐5pm Features: Arts & Crafts Church built in 1900; East window by Christopher Whall; Millennium Features: Original Church (1908) restored as Church and Community centre; modern window by Peter Caller.. church (1966) adjacent. Modern Church (1966), adaptable and pioneering on adjacent site. Stained glass window, spectacular entrance hall.. Services, 10.30 & 6.30. History display. Talk & tour, 2.30 & 4.00.

SAINT PAUL'S WALDEN (WHITWELL) All Saints St Paul's Walden, Hitchin SG4 All Saints The Green WD3 3HJ 8DN Open from: 7am to: 7.30pm Open from: 12pm to: 5pm Features: ‐ ‐, ‐. Features: 14th cent. (and earlier) church on Saxon site; Medieval stained glass of Virgin & Child. Spectacular screen & chancel remodelled in 1727.. CROXLEY GREEN St Oswald Malvern Way, Rickmansworth WD3 3QL Photo exhibition of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (baptized here). Open from: 6pm to: 8pm Features: 1937, Historic recovered font. Modern stained glass window.. STOTFOLD St Mary Church Road SG5 4NE 6.30pm The Chanticleers Serivce (Church Light Music Group) songs from Les Miserables. Open from: 9am to: 5pm Refreshments Features: Recent re‐ordering providing disabled toilet and kitchenette for refreshments. MILL END St Peter Berry Lane WD3 7HW Ring of 8 bells. Carvings on internal stonework.. Open from: 11am to: 2pm Scarecrow Festival in conjunction with Stotfold Festival Week with local community Features: Victorian church. . displaying scarecrows in gardens and schools and bell ringing scarecrows in the tower.

WILLIAN All Saints Church Lane SG6 2AF RICKMANSWORTH St Mary the Virgin Church Street WD3 1JB Open from: 2pm to: 5pm Refreshments Open from: 8am to: 7pm Features: 14th cent. Grade 2* with 12th cent. doorway; Memorials; altar frontal from Features: East window by Edward Burne‐Jones & Wm Morris; Shared church building hangings at Elizabeth II's Coronation; Gargoyles.. (Church of & Methodist Church). . Proposed plans for providing kitchen and toilet facilities. Displays of activities of St Mary's. Tours of the church (p.m.). Concert at 6.00.

SARRATT Holy Cross Church End, Church Lane WD3 6HE Open from: 11am to: 5pm Refreshments at The Cock Inn opposite. Features: The building, dating from c. 1190, rests on large lumps of puddingstone; Saddleback tower roof; Wall paintings (c. 1370)..

RICKMANSWORTH Exhibition: Holy Cross ‐ The Walkers Church (with maps and information for walkers).

BOVINGDON St Lawrence Church Lane HP3 0LU WEST HYDE St Thomas West Hyde WD3 9XL Open from: 12pm to: 5pm Cream Teas Open from: 11am to: 2pm Features: Large churchyard. Interior Architecture. Development of memorial walk.. Features: . Stalls, music, refreshments, including cream teas.