Church of St. Etheldreda, Graveley

The church of St. Etheldreda is a curious building. Set in what appears to be someone’s garden it is the only remains of the medieval village of Chesfield which in 1445 was merged with the parish of Graveley. The license for demolition was granted by the Bishop of Licoln in 1750.

Documentary evidence makes reference to a chapel at Chesfield Manor, 1216 which suggests an earlier church stood before the contemporary one. The current church ruins are thought to be of the 13^th or early 14^th century. They consist of a rectangular nave and chancel coupled with a later small chapel in the south-east corner. The walls are constructed of flint and are reported to still contain elements of original plaster work.

The location of the church makes it rather difficult to have a look around. Two fences obstruct the way: it appeared the ruins lie on private ground. Climbing over one fence allows one to gain a closer look but I cannot say that this is recommended. Directions are as follows:

Take the B197 from Stevenage to Graveley, turn right at the garage into Church Lane and follow this for about 1¼ miles to the church.

The site is on the north side of the road near Chesfield Park. Grid Reference TL 2474 2792.

Sources

- http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/leisculture/heritage1/archaeology/moreaboutarch/archsites/chesfield/

- http://risk.english-heritage.org.uk/2010.aspx?id=860&rt=1&pn=8&st=a&ctype=all&crit=church

- http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43586

- http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-162616-church-of-st-etheldrada-graveley

- http://www.francisfrith.com/stevenage/photos/the-ruins-of-st-etheldredas-church-chesfield-1899_44280/

The nave.

South-east chapel.

Looking west through the ruined nave.

View from the road.

Photograph of the ruins in 1899 over run with ivy. (Part of the Francis Firth collection - link provided in 'sources' above)

Photographs taken 2nd July 2011.