St. Stephen's Church, St. Albans
Encyclopedia
St Stephen's Church in St Albans
, England
, is a parish church in the Church of England
.
, believed to have been originally founded in AD948
by Abbot Ulsinus
of St Albans. Although there are now some questions about the exact date of its foundation (and the date of Abbot Ulsinus), it is reasonably clear that, together with St Michael's and St Peter's churches, the church was built at about that time to receive pilgrims and to prepare them for their visit to the shrine of St Alban
within St Albans Abbey
. The three churches, all of which still exist as active places of Christian
worship, stand on the three main roads into St Albans.
The Anglo-Saxon
building was originally 34 feet wide by 38 feet long, and was probably divided into two rooms. It thought that the church did not at that time have a tower. Little now remains of the original building, but the small window, deep set in rough masonry by the door to the Parish Centre, has been dated to around AD950.
About 50 years after the Norman conquest of 1066, the church was enlarged during the abbacy of Richard de Albini. The new building was consecrated by Gilbert, Bishop of Limerick. From documentary evidence it would appear that a north aisle was added in about 1170 whilst Robert de Gorham was abbot.
During the middle of the fifteenth century many works took place. A belfry was formed over the western bay of the south arcade. The height of the nave walls was increased and windows inserted at high level to allow more light to penetrate the interior of the church. This window feature is known as a "clerestory
". The chancel was enlarged and the wooden framework of the chancel arch dates from this time.
The building today is largely medieval, but was restored
from near-ruinous conditions in the 1860s. The present spire, replacing a "Hertfordshire spike" on the tower, dates from this time. The pews and ornamental woodwork are Victorian, and the present pulpit and canopy date from 1936. The eagle lectern is a copy of a much earlier famous Dunkeld Lectern
, which until recently stood in its place.
The church is still active today.
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, is a parish church in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
Background
It is, based upon the writing of Matthew ParisMatthew Paris
Matthew Paris was a Benedictine monk, English chronicler, artist in illuminated manuscripts and cartographer, based at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire...
, believed to have been originally founded in AD948
948
Year 948 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* The Nri Kingdom in what is now Southeastern Nigeria is started by Eri.- Asia :...
by Abbot Ulsinus
Wulsin (Abbot Ulsinus)
Wulsin was a tenth century Abbot of St Albans Abbey, England, and, according to the 13th century chronicler Matthew Paris, founded St Albans School there in 948 which is still active...
of St Albans. Although there are now some questions about the exact date of its foundation (and the date of Abbot Ulsinus), it is reasonably clear that, together with St Michael's and St Peter's churches, the church was built at about that time to receive pilgrims and to prepare them for their visit to the shrine of St Alban
Saint Alban
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox...
within St Albans Abbey
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
. The three churches, all of which still exist as active places of Christian
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
worship, stand on the three main roads into St Albans.
The Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
building was originally 34 feet wide by 38 feet long, and was probably divided into two rooms. It thought that the church did not at that time have a tower. Little now remains of the original building, but the small window, deep set in rough masonry by the door to the Parish Centre, has been dated to around AD950.
About 50 years after the Norman conquest of 1066, the church was enlarged during the abbacy of Richard de Albini. The new building was consecrated by Gilbert, Bishop of Limerick. From documentary evidence it would appear that a north aisle was added in about 1170 whilst Robert de Gorham was abbot.
During the middle of the fifteenth century many works took place. A belfry was formed over the western bay of the south arcade. The height of the nave walls was increased and windows inserted at high level to allow more light to penetrate the interior of the church. This window feature is known as a "clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
". The chancel was enlarged and the wooden framework of the chancel arch dates from this time.
The building today is largely medieval, but was restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
from near-ruinous conditions in the 1860s. The present spire, replacing a "Hertfordshire spike" on the tower, dates from this time. The pews and ornamental woodwork are Victorian, and the present pulpit and canopy date from 1936. The eagle lectern is a copy of a much earlier famous Dunkeld Lectern
Dunkeld Lectern
The Dunkeld Lectern is a mediaeval lectern which was one of the most prized possessions of St Stephen's Church, St Albans. The 150 kg brass reading desk stood approximately 1.6 metres high and took the form of a large eagle with outspread wings with the bird perched on an orb supported...
, which until recently stood in its place.
The church is still active today.