All Saints Church Hartest

Hartest was first mentioned in a grant of estates
circa 990 to Aelsi, Abbot of Ely Abbey, and it may have
been about the period of his ministry, c.981-1020,
when a church was first established here, perhaps just
south of the present area and near to the Manor Hall
which was at the rear of the Crown Inn, itself the Hall
in later years. That there was a community here in
earlier times is without doubt, for a small Romano/
British settlement was discovered in 1957 by Mr Philip
Kerry, near the bridge to the north, with evidence of
stone age man on the same site.

'The 1086 Little Domesday Book referred to a church
with ' 80 acres of tax free land, which is sometimes
taken as.an indication of former superior status,, but
in what respect is not known. The present building
consists of a 14th century chancel, south aisle and
chapel, at that time dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
Mary, a 15th century north aisle and chapel once
ascribed to St Nicholas, and a 16th century north
porch, the construction Paid for by John Phillipson
who, with his wife Ann, is buried underneath it.
The lower part of the tower is 14th century, with the
upper stages rebuilt in 1652 after it had collapsed
into the nave and aisles on 27th October 1650.

In a petition to Parliament, an estimate of £1240
was given with a request to collect money, although
the inhabitants were "exceeding poore". Accounts of
Thomas Moore of East Bergholt who agreed to "bild the
stepell up ten foote above the church",, show that five
of his workmen had spent most of their wages in advance
and made the request "to Paye before Goody Hibbull.
for they owe most of the monyes to her". She may
have been the owner of 'The Old Chequer', the oldest
known Hartest Inn which was on the east side of the
green nearest the church.

In the latter part of the 15th century there was a painted
canopy and a tabernacle containing an image of
St Thomas, both over the "heye alter", and in the
south chapel a statue of the Virgin Mary with candles
burning before it. Now you know why this church is called
All Saints! The north and south roofs appear to have been
carved and decorated without an overall scheme, suggesting
that they may have been paid for one bay at a time as funds
permitted. The two bays with carved pomegranates date
between 1509 and 1533. Many ancient burials are recorded
within the church and there cannot be many areas under the
floor where there are not some mortal remains. like Ann
Rokewood who in 1572 requested that she be buried "in the
channcell nere to the place where I was wonte to sytt".

Before, during and after the Civil War, feelings ran high
with supporters for both Royalists and Roundheads in the
congregation, the most notable being Rector Frederick
Gibb who, in the autumn of 1642, was fined £30 by
Parliament, suspended from his living and later ejected in 1644
under an ordinance for the Removal or Sequestration of
'Scandalous Clergy'. His place was taken by Richard Duckworth
who, in 1660 had to answer charges that he had "used rude
expressions against the late King". A man of similar inclination,
but suiting actions for words, was Ambrose Dister of Peace
Farm, a churchwarden, who "did pull downe the font of Hartest
Church" in about 1644 by order, so he said, "of the Earl of
Manchesters souldiers lying then in and about Hartest".
He was accused, in 1664, that he also converted stone, lead
and other materials to his own use which he denied.

In 1750 or thereabouts, a gallery for singers and musicians had
been.erected against the west wall and in 1831 it housed a
small organ, possibly built by a family called Sturgeon, who
were organ builders in Hartest. Prior to1859 the pews were
described as "deal, common, ugly and of every kind from
'sleeping boxes to one with a lumbering canopy built for an
old gentleman he suffered from the cold"! They did have a
saving grace In that "ancient tracery Panelling" was re-used
in the front seat of the nave, as was part of the screen taken
from the rood loft, which was made in 1519.

By 1878 the south wall was out of perpendicular, cracked
and foundations subsiding , with the arches being ready to
fall down, no being shored up with unsightly timber, so plans
were adopted to raise £1500 for re building repairs and
modernisation. When it was completed In 1880 by Thomas
Cadge of Hartest, A new oak roof in the chancel had been
constructed the17th century pulp it had been renovated,
wooden boards on which were inscribed the Lords Prayer,
Creed and Ten Commandments were removed and also
'restored' away were14th century lancet windows, 16th century
benches, 17th century communion rails and font, 18th century
gallery, the organ and a royal coat of arms, which in most cases
were a loss to posterity. In 1890 the tower was repaired and
both porches refaced and restored.

For many years the peace and serenity of this ancient church with
its colourful history has been undisturbed, Long may the sounds
of music and prayers be heard and answered in the love of God.

PAX VOBISCUM

From notes compiled by the late
Roderick McLoed June 1993.