St. James, Thorley
Hidden away on what are now the outskirts of Bishop's Stortford, the church stands at the dead end of Church Lane where the long road leading to nowhere peters out next to an old duck pond. It is surrounded by some splendid specimen trees of the sort that generally indicate the estate of a big house, and memorials in the churchyard show the importance of the local Frere family. There is a large complex of buildings including a barn that is seemingly preferred to the church for many services. The Freres arts and crafts enthusiasm shows in several tombs and the large lych gate. One earlier memorial bears an enamel heraldic plaque and a bronze showing Christ as Hope under a reference to "Our union".
Hidden away on what are now the outskirts of Bishop's Stortford, the church stands at the dead end of Church Lane where the long road leading to nowhere peters out next to an old duck pond. It is surrounded by some splendid specimen trees of the sort that generally indicate the estate of a big house, and memorials in the churchyard show the importance of the local Frere family. There is a large complex of buildings including a barn that is seemingly preferred to the church for many services. The Freres arts and crafts enthusiasm shows in several tombs and the large lych gate. One earlier memorial bears an enamel heraldic plaque and a bronze showing Christ as Hope under a reference to "Our union".
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 Frere family memorial c.1840
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The church has suffered from some confusing restoration; in 1846 Pritchett added Middle Pointed window tracery in his east and west windows, whilst the tower is really fifteenth century and the chancel a thirteenth century extension. Several Early English lancets remain, and the south doorway is Norman with zigzag arches on spiral shafts. The spirited ironwork on this door is modern but quite looks the part. Unfortunately when I've visited the church has been locked, there's no sign of a local key nor any information about opening times on the website, which indicates an evangelical congregation at present, often a poor bet for access.
 1909 bronze plaque to Esther Frere.
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All images and text copyright stiffleaf 2013, no reproduction withouit permission.
