St. John the Baptist, Markyate
Another of Hertfordshire's tiny churches, somewhat cut off nowadays from its village by the by-pass, though like many in the county it was always rather an appendage of the big house rather than central to the community. Here that house is Markyate Cell, the church hiding in the skirts of the estate close to a lodge guarding an avenue that led to the big Tudorbethan brick pile on the hill. Indeed, the symmetrical show front of the north aisle is only visible from the private estate grounds, with a now blocked classical doorway in the aisle added in 1810 to the church built in 1734. To the west a perky little tower of red brick chequered with blue headers has been spoilt by the ugly modern vestries that creep round its foot, whilst the approach from the rubbish strewn lane first confronts us with the east end of the late Victorian chancel built in 1892.
Another of Hertfordshire's tiny churches, somewhat cut off nowadays from its village by the by-pass, though like many in the county it was always rather an appendage of the big house rather than central to the community. Here that house is Markyate Cell, the church hiding in the skirts of the estate close to a lodge guarding an avenue that led to the big Tudorbethan brick pile on the hill. Indeed, the symmetrical show front of the north aisle is only visible from the private estate grounds, with a now blocked classical doorway in the aisle added in 1810 to the church built in 1734. To the west a perky little tower of red brick chequered with blue headers has been spoilt by the ugly modern vestries that creep round its foot, whilst the approach from the rubbish strewn lane first confronts us with the east end of the late Victorian chancel built in 1892.
|
|
|
The mystic Christina of Markyate is remembered here, having been the founder of the priory that the house replaced. Part of a late C14th cross slab has been set up on end inside and rather oddly painted blue and white, but as she died circa 1155 any claim that this was her tomb is spurious.
I am glad to be able to say that the church is now open during daylight hours, a welcome change indeed.
I am glad to be able to say that the church is now open during daylight hours, a welcome change indeed.
All text and images copyright stiffleaf; no reproduction without permission.
