Church Heritage

The History

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There has been a church in Biddenham since at least the 11th or 12th centuries. After the disappearance of a probably wooden Saxon church, the stone structure consisted of an aisleless nave with a much restored Norman arch and small chancel beyond. Thereafter, as money and patrons were found, the church was enlarged. The lower part of the tower is from 13th century; the upper part was added in 15th century. The next stage was the enlargement of the Chancel in 14th century and there are vestiges of original stonework still visible. What was probably originally a chapel was built on the south side, which opened into the church and formed an aisle, backing onto the 15th century porch. Two wealthy local families, the Botelers and the Dwyves, paid for the south aisle in 1522. Nevertheless the church must have been crowded and awkward to work in with parts of this aisle divided from the rest by a screen to act as a vestry. This was only remedied in 1974 with the construction of the new vestry. The various windows in the church reflect the stages of building from the 14th to 16th centuries, although most have been restored. There are traces of earlier windows in the stonework.

There is still much evidence of the history and development of the church in the furnishings inside.

A list of incumbents dating back to 1231 can be found at the foot of the tower. The font, just inside the entrance door, is from the 15th century and, of course, is still in use today. There are numerous memorials on the walls, some with very touching inscriptions, several from the 19th century, with older former floor memorials in the vestry. The most striking memorial is one the wall near the altar of the Boteler family, William having died in 1601 and his wife twenty years later. The south aisle is divided from the nave by a Jacobean screen, which originally was in the north aisle. Some splendid 17th century brasses are to be found in the north aisle. Biddenham as a village was much affected by the Arts and Crafts movement at the end of the 19th century, with several houses being of significant architectural importance. Craftsmen from this movement also adorned the church: the East window is from the factory of the most influential stained glass maker of the period and the pulpit, the lectern and the vicar’s stall are all in this style.

Additions in the 20th century include a memorial window for Sir John Howard, the roll of honour for those killed in the two world wars and the fine Millenium window, consecrated in 2000, depicting scenes from village life. In this period also the bells from 1767 were added to and rehung.

The church is always open to visitors and as you enter a booklet can be purchased which describes the church, both inside and out in more detail.

 

The ancient books owned by the church

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St James Church owns quite a number of ancient books two of which were highlighted at the exhibition at Open Church Sunday on 21st June 2015. The two books were: a leather bound Bible published in 1739 and a leather bound prayer book published in 1748

A Bible in English

This Bible is printed in English which might not seem anything to comment on but it was only just over a century before 1739 that it was possible to find a Bible in English and these Bibles would only be useable by very few people.

Some of the history of the Bible in English can be traced back to 1380 when against a lot of opposition a group influenced by John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English. This version was difficult to understand and as the printing press had not been invented it was not printed and distributed widely. In 1524 a translation of the Bible into English done by Tyndale was printed on a press but a law was passed making it a capital offence to read this Bible and the archbishops burned every copy they found. In 1534 the English church broke from the Catholic Church and in 1611 the Authorised Version of the bible was published in English. So  just over 100 years before this bible of ours was published, people in England were allowed for the first time to read the bible for themselves if they knew how to read, though usually the only Bible around would be found in a church and belong to the priest who himself might not be able to read.

Social conditions in 1739

About this time England was recovering from a period of poor harvests and starvation, and nutrition was slowly improving. Average life expectancy was about 31 years. Also about this time there was the start of the Industrial Revolution which came early in England because, according to French historians, the English were more literate than people on the continent. French historians attribute this at least in part to the fact that in England the protestant priest encouraged the population to read the Bible and Bible knowledge was promoted. The conditions in the factories in England were very bad. Soon after our Bible was published, in 1791 the French Revolution took place triggered by terrible social conditions in that country. The king was executed and there was a reign of terror

Life in England after 1739

From the 1750’s nutrition was improving in England because of an increase in agricultural output and because of this health was improving. At this time too John Wesley, his brothers and George Whitfield were preaching all over England, travelling enormous distances, usually on horseback. They had an enormous impact on the belief and behaviour of people all over the country. They preached that employees should work well even when their masters were not watching (Colossians 3.22), that employees must respect their masters (Timothy 6.1) and that they must work cheerfully as unto God (Ephesians 6.7). They also preached that employers must stop threatening their employees (Ephesians 6.9) and that they must treat their employees justly and fairly (Colossians 4.1). According to their teaching employees and masters were no different in God’s eyes (Colossians 3.11) and that both should copy Jesus, who although he was Lord of everything took on himself the position of servant (Philippians 2.6). It was thought that this preaching of the way that God requires masters and employees to behave and the call to live like Jesus as described in the Bible had a great influence on the general thinking among working people of the time

A prayer book

As well as the Bible the people had the Prayer Book like our copy published in 1748. If one looks at just one prayer used in many churches each week at communion, the prayer of humble access, one can see again something that lead to public peace. The prayer is all about how we can come before God and reads thus:

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

It makes clear that the only access to God is not in our own righteousness, but through the undeserved mercy of God shown at the cross of Jesus. It speaks of our failure to live to God’s standards, of God’s mercy and of our need for repentance, cleansing and strengthening before we have any worth or righteousness. Not really a revolutionary document.

This was true just as much for those who had power and wealth as well as for the powerless and encourages everybody to come to God in humility and then to react to each other as equals. So to some degree these books and the work of preachers who explained their message changed the history of our country and was one factor among others that lead to change without violence.

 

A new painting in the church

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For many years there has been a beautiful painting of “The Annunciation” in the vestry. This painting is a Victorian copy of one painted by Fra Angelico done in the 15th century and currently found in the monastery of saint Marco in Florence. The diocese has allowed us to move this into the church so more people can see it. The painting shows the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary, a teenage girl living in Palestine, and telling her that she would bear the Son   of God, God himself come down to earth. Mary was not yet married to Joseph and this could have led to the collapse of her marriage or even to her being accused of adultery and being stoned. Mary none the less agreed to God’s command. This led to her having her baby in a cowshed in Bethlehem, an odd place for God to choose to come into His world. Soon afterwards the life of this family was threatened and they became asylum seekers in Egypt, a topical touch to this story. When they came back to Israel her son became a homeless itinerant preacher and was finally executed as a criminal thereby paying the price for our sins. Only later did he rise from the dead and even after that the people of God were severely persecuted by the Roman authorities. All this came out of the faithful obedience of a teenage girl. Some people say that faith in God and obedience to Him is a crutch. It certainly wasn’t for this young girl or for many other Christians who faithfully follow God’s will.

The painting is on the east wall of the body of the church in the prayer corner. I would invite you to go and look at it and meditate on what God may require of His followers when He asks us to follow Him as Mary did. Christianity is not for wimps but for real men and women who are willing to commit themselves to The Kingdom of God wherever it leads.

The Friends of St James

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Would you like to join The Friends of St James? This is an independent charity, established in 2005, which allows anyone who values the parish church of St James as a focal point in Biddenham’s village life to contribute to the “preservation, repair, maintenance, restoration, improvement and ornamentation” of the fabric of the church and church barn. These are buildings where the people of Biddenham come together to mark the major events of their private and public lives. As a charity separate from the Parochial Church Council (PCC), The Friends of St James provides a way for those with limited or no interest in the religious aspects of the church to support these historic and beautiful buildings.

Membership of The Friends of St James is by annual subscription – this is currently £20 for individuals and £30 for couples or families. By becoming a Member you will be able to support the objectives of the charity, receive a Members’ newsletter and be informed about events run by The Friends of St James. In addition, you will receive discounted entry to our events, such as concerts held in the church. However, please note that most of our events are also open to non-members, who will be made most welcome.

For more information on The Friends of St James or an application form, please contact Peter Leverkus on 01234 353662.

BIDDENHAM HERITAGE TRAIL OPENS

On 18th April, on a glorious sunny morning, the Rt Hon Alistair Burt, MP for North East Bedfordshire from 2000-2015, opened the new Biddenham Heritage Trail at Kings Corner by unveiling the first of a series of six information boards positioned around the village and in the river valley.  The ceremony had been preceded by performances from two talented musicians from Biddenham Upper School, and was attended by more than 150 residents and friends.

Mr Burt first thanked the students for their contribution to the success of the occasion, and presented each of them with a token cash gift from the village.  He went on to compliment the Biddenham Society for their initiative in creating the trail, as a way of reminding us all that those of us who are privileged to live here are trustees in kind of Biddenham’s beauty and heritage. He expressed particular pleasure at the number of children present – hopefully the village’s trustees of the future.

Maps had already been distributed to all those present (copies will be maintained in the entrance to the village hall), and following the official opening, family trail questionnaires were made available.  Teams of adults and children were soon to be seen scouring the village for the answers.

The costs of the trail and its three waymarked extensions, have primarily been met as the result of a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, supplemented by contributions from the parish council and the Biddenham Society. Each information board is of high quality and – uniquely -contains a different selection of reproductions of original paintings of village features commissioned from local art groups. The society is to establish a Trail Maintenance Fund to ensure any future weather damage or vandalism can be quickly addressed, and an appeal to residents is shortly to be launched.

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A Children’s tour of the church.

Would you like to join the Church Detectives?

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They are having great fun finding out all about our church. Why don’t you come to St. James and follow the trail, age appropriate booklets are there to help you.