St Mary’s Aspenden

St Mary’s Church stands proud over the village on a small hill at the end of The Street on land adjoining Aspenden Hall and the church’s history is intertwined with that of the hall. There are no records of the dedication of Aspenden Church but the Domesday Book records a priest in residence in Aspenden in 1086.

The church consists of a continuous chancel and nave, with south aisle and tower. The walls are flint rubble covered with cement, the south chapel is cemented brick and the roofs are tiled. There is very little remaining of the original church and most of the existing building was built around 1350. The building was restored between 1500 and 1505 by Sir Robert Clifford. Deep in the north wall of the church nave are some traces of Saxon workmanship, so it is possible that a place of worship has been on this site since about 950 AD.

Among the monuments inside the church is one of the Freeman brothers, Ralph and William holding hands. The former, a prominent Parliamentarian of the 17th century, was the builder of the original Aspenden Hall, next to the church.

St Mary’s offers a traditional style of worship with services on most Sundays. The Buntingford Journal or the church noticeboard provides a list of current services. The church has a choir, a peal of bells with an active team of ringers and a family service on the first Sunday of most months.

Contact Reverend Kirsty Wainwright c/o St Peter’s Church, Chapel End, Buntingford
SG9 9AL Telephone 07704 695 787

Church Warden Pat Murray 01763 272045