St Edmund's Church, Hargrave
A Brief History
There has been a church in Hargrave for at least 1000 years.
The nave of the current building was the first section to be built in the late 12th century, but probably only the south door remains as originally designed. The construction of the chancel followed c1250 and the brick tower around 1460. The north aisle with its significant intervention to the nave and remodelling of other parts of the church were completed around 1870. The Victorian interventions included the alteration and rebuilding of the east wall of the chancel. The building is listed grade 2* by Historic England, the only building in Hargrave to be so highly classified.
The interior is simple in style, reflecting its service over the centuries to the small, rural, farming community of Hargrave. The church is situated on the northern boundary of Hargrave, about a mile from the centre of the village and is approached from the public highway by way of a 550 ft unmade lane, rising some 30 ft over its length to add to the visitor’s challenge. But the challenge is worth it, giving one time to appreciate the peacefulness of the setting before joining a Sunday service.
Despite the simplicity of the church, its history has bestowed a number of notable features, including:
- The original late 12th century south door to the nave.
- The 15th century brick tower, generally considered the church’s finest feature and one corner of which was repaired following bomb damage during World War II when the porch was lost.
- A 15th century rood screen, simple and crude in construction and detail.
- A 15th century font on, it is believed, a 13th century base.
- Within the tower, three bells dating from 1566, 1622 (cast in Bury St Edmunds) and 1841 (cast in Whitechapel).
Peter Reddick
