By Ken McDonald, Secretary
Braughing – church ceiling
Furneux Pelham church ceiling
Although the Society is not a religious organisation, we encourage visits to parish churches as they are often the oldest and most interesting building in any community.
Inside, you may find images of angels in some form or another. These winged creatures are considered to be messengers of God. They also represent goodness, with a promise of heaven if you live a good life.
Angels in churches are depicted in paintings, on stained-glass windows, suspended from ceilings, carved into corbels that support roof timbers or on poppyheads at the end of pews.
Clavering church displays several angels in its medieval glass windows as well as a series of wooden angels suspended from the rafters – they have feathers all over, including on their legs.
It is easy to miss Clavering’s angels, but not those at Furneux Pelham. Their bright colours come from a repaint in the 1960s. Some play a lute and others hold a shield with a family crest, presumably of their sponsor. Furneux Pelham also has a series of angels on windows that were painted in the19th century by renowned artists William Morris and Edward Byrne-Jones.
Radwinter has a series of stained-glass windows with angels featuring prominently. At Elmdon, one peeps out from under the lectern from which the vicar preaches. In Linton, one of the carved poppyheads depicts a scribe resting his book on the wings of an angel.
Some churches have carvings on the corbels that support major roof timbers. Hildersham’s chancel has especially colourful decoration, including angels on each of its corbels.
Over the last couple of years, I have given an illustrated talk to many local organisations, taking a peek inside some of our parish churches and including photos of angels in many guises.
For further information please see www.hundredparishes.org.uk
