St Mary's Church
Cheshunt's parish church
By Nicholas Blatchley
The 15th century Parish Church of Cheshunt is in Churchgate, at the centre of the conservation area. It’s surrounded by listed buildings, but the church itself is the only grade I building in the area.
From Domesday
It’s recorded in the Domesday Book, in 1086, that Cheshunt had a priest, and a church is mentioned in documents dating back to at least the 12th century. In 1331, a chapter of the Augustinian canons was held at “Cheshunt church”, apparently because the abbot of Waltham Abbey at the time was “rebellious”. No record survives of its location, but the chances are that it was in the same general area, close to the old manor house.
The present church
The present church was built between 1418 and 1448, while Nicholas Dixon was the rector. Although it isn’t recorded why the rebuilding took place, it’s possible that the church, like many others, had fallen into neglect during the chaos following the Black Death. It may have been at this time that the dedication was changed from St John the Baptist, which appears in some early documents, to St Mary the Virgin.
There are many monuments and family vaults, both inside the church and in the churchyard surrounding it, including one for the Cromwell Family of Cheshunt Park, descendants of the Lord Protector, as well as memorials to various local families, including the Dewhursts, the Russells, the Dacres the Meux and the Dodsons. The church also contains a memorial to Nicholas Dixon.
St Mary’s today
St Mary’s Church is a fine example of gothic architecture, and its interior has an atmosphere fitting a medieval church. I well remember the annual carol concerts held there by my school (Cheshunt Grammar) in the 1960s and 70s. The beautiful, almost Dickensian location set up the right feeling, and the church’s splendid acoustics helped to make the choir, congregation, booming organ and brass ensemble as magnificent as any more prestigious event.
Whether or not you’re a worshipper, St Mary’s is well worth a visit, both to see a fine medieval church and to feel the atmosphere of a building used by nearly six hundred years of Cheshunt’s people.
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My mum had to go to the basement during the war I was christened, went to Sunday school & loads of family & friends weddings beautiful church went church twice a week when went st Mary’s in the 70’s lots of memories
I also attended st.Mary.s infant school from 1943 to 1948.I went to st.Mary.s church on sundays and then on to breakfast at the rev.Pare.s house after which we crossed the road to the green dragon for a lemonade.I now live in brussels since 1960. …happy memories.
I have fond memories of St Marys church , I was confirmed there in 1957 and attended Dewhurst St Marys school in the 1950s , we went every Wednesday for a special service, lovely memories.
Hi, Del, it’s great to hear from you. Weren’t you in the choir? I was always in the basses, although my voice probably wasn’t the steadiest in the choir.
In the early 1970’s, in those last years as a student at Cheshunt Grammar School, I would often go to the Christmas Eve carol service with my friend Chris Francis. We’d always stand in the back. Chris had a truly wonderful singing voice. This, of course, was after spending the evening at the Green Dragon pub.
Went to church here every Wednesday with my school, Dewhurst St Mary. I was also confirmed there. I walked through the churchyard every day to and from school. Knew the names on the graves as well
I also have lovely memories of St Mary’s Church Cheshunt.
I attended St Mary’s all through the 1950s, I use to go with my uncle Ernie Picket two evenings a week to ring the bells.
This I enjoyed very much.
I was confirmed in St Mary’s in 1957.
I now live in Cornwall and attend St Peter’s Church Coverack.
It was lovely to go back and remember.
Thank You.
Why does the church clock no longer strike?
I have just moved to Cheshunt and only 5min walk from this church I’m fascinated when I walk through the cemetery and see the dates I haven’t been Inside yet but I’m planning to