St Mary the Virgin
Woodford Halse, Northamptonshire
The church has been at the heart of the village of Woodford Halse since the 12th century although the church was substantially rebuilt in the late 19th century.
The church stands remote amongst fields, adjacent to a charming early 18th century Manor House. The village itself was moved to its present site almost a mile away, with the influx of sheep in the late 15th century.
The church dates back to at least the 13th century and has been particularly fortunate in the quality of later alterations. In the 16th century for instance came the construction of a series of fine memorials to the Andrews family including a splendid tomb by Thomas Parker of Burton on Trent. This was followed by a Jacobean pulpit, Queen Anne communion rails etc.
Perhaps the most surprising change though came through the rebuilding of the chancel by George C Carter between 1901 and 1904 which introduced the Arts and Crafts movement to this remote village. Externally it is expressed in the decorative scroll work on the lead guttering and the carved reliefs around the east windows. The altar furnishings of the same period and are very distinctive. The east end lettering is by Eric Gill.
Do make a pilgrimage here, you will not be disappointed.
