Priest in Charge

The Reverend Dr Simon Chambers 

The Rectory, Hodwell

Ashwell

Baldock   

Herts SG7 5QQ. 

Tel: 01462 742277 

E-mail: Simon Chambers

Day off: Friday

Times of church services 

9.30 am               4th Sunday in the month: Holy communion BCP

Please check the church notice board for any special services and variations.

There are services on each Sunday in the other two churches of the benefice.

Church History

There has been a church at Newnham for a very long time.  The north wall dates from the 12^th century, the chancel from the 13^th, the tower and south aisle from the 14^th and the clerestory windows and south porch from the 15^th century.  Substantial fragments can be seen of murals dating from the 14^th and 15^th centuries (some may be as early as the 13^th century).  They represent the lower half of St Christopher - his feet, the base of his staff, cliffs and some predatory fish in the stream.  Alas the upper half of the saint with the infant Christ on his shoulders was destroyed with the construction of the Victorian roof.

Other intriguing wall paintings await conservation: a mysterious circle with figures of strange beasts, and a human figure close to the pulpit.  In fact there are traces of colour underneath the limewash all over the chancel.  A number of votive crosses on the outside of the door arch were scratched by pilgrims and other travellers seeking the protection of St Vincent on their journey, and other graffiti can be seen around the doorway to the belfry turret - a fish and a windmill.

In the chancel there are some fine 15^th century brasses and some handsomely lettered memorials of the 17^th and 18^th centuries on the walls and floor.  There is a small and attractive early 19^th century gothic organ; the 14^th century font is also worthy of note.  The somewhat dreary appearance of the badly weathered wall cladding - part of the 19^th century 'improvements' - belies the tranquil simplicity of the interior.  This cladding is in process of gradual removal as and when funds allow.  The most recent work can be seen on the east face of the tower.

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