Campaign to save and renovate old Thundridge Church
Latest News as of 14th March 2012.
Members of the Parish Council have now met at the old church with representatives from the Diocese of St Albans. Postive proposals have been put forward for the future upkeep of both the church tower and the churchyard. Hopefully, this will signal more of a community involvement in the church tower's future and restore some beauty to the site. Both the Parish Council and the Diocese will discuss the proposals shortly before formally agreeing them. Things are definitely looking up!!
News as of Jan 13th 2012. It seems that, judging from dialogue between Thundridge Parish Council and the Diocese of St Albans, the later is unsure as to whether they or the incumbent of Thundridge Parish Church actually has responsibility for the old church! The fact that there is no incumbent of Thundridge Parish Church as they havn't appointed one in recent years, seems to have escaped their notice!
However, a report commissioned by St Albans Diocese on the future of the old church in 2006 recommended that various bodies be consulted in any future discussions - including Thundridge Parish Council - for the first time! As a result of which, last year - 5 years later, they wrote to the parish council asking if they would like to be involved in these discussions. Thundridge Parish Council has now agreed to this.
So we now look forward to meeting with St Albans Diocese, English Heritage etc. in the near future - assuming that they can agree that they are the owners of the old church!
Coming soon, a survey of possible ideas. In the mean time tell us what you think we should do or what could be done.
Your thoughts on what to do with the old Church in Thundridge?
Fantastic place, so calm and relaxing.
But, being able to see it properly would be nice!
From the above 'postings' it would also appear that there are some very rich benefactors living in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Thundridge? To my knowledge 10's of thousands of Pounds have been spent on its upkeep over the years. I imagine there is little appetite to accept liability for the church by any 'party'?
Newspaper Article
‘The dioceses do not own any medieval churches. The parish church is owned by the parishioners, as are all ancient rectories, vicarages and parsonage houses. Likewise, most Victorian churches and priest’s houses belong to the parishes, unless their own title deeds explicitly name the diocese.’
Source: Revd. Paul Williamson, Hanworth, Middx.
Roy H Harris
There is an association called 'Friends of Friendless Churches' who may be interested in assisting with the partial resoration and upkeep of this church, and they have a website at www.friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.ukand it's worth contacting them!
I've seen such 'friendless churches' restored by this organisation, from Caernarvon to Windsor.
Leave a Reply
Thundridge Old Church Photo Gallery
There is evidence of local people being married and buried there, surely it should be made a place to visit and to learn about local history.