Graveley is a peaceful place apart from the constant breathy hum of the too-nearby A1(M). The church's origins date from the Norman period, though not a lot survives visibly from then; there's a very plain round arched door reset in the north aisle, now leading to the Victorian vestry. Judging from the lancets in its south and, especially, north walls, the chancel is Early English, and throughout the church there's a typical melange of Decorated and Perpendicular windows. The tower is Perpendicular.
All this, while nothing special or outstanding, is perfectly pleasant and well worth a stroll around. We might hope that the interior would hold some treasures, but in truth it's much the same as the exterior.
The only remarkable medieval feature is the thirteenth century double piscina, comprising a round-headed arch and two demi-round-headed arches which combine to form two pointed arches (very similar in concept to the wall decoration found in several cathedrals and other greater churches). Bettley/Pevsner point out that this is very similar to the one in Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge, but there's another one in Longstanton church, Cambs:
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| Photo: Jesus College website |
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| Photo: Britain Express |
The chancel screen is fifteenth century; 'nothing special' is Bettley/Pevsner's view, and it's hard to disagree, but nevertheless it's a good, solid, no-nonsense piece of village carpentry and deserves respect. There are three head corbels in the nave, presumably fifteenth century; again, nothing special, but as usual the best way of coming face to face with our ancestors.
The corbels support the nave roof with angels (all restored in 1887).
There are several minor monuments to ex-villagers. This one is the most notable (1770) which has an urn which looks like a big inverted light bulb (I suppose I should qualify that by saying 'old fashioned light bulb').
The Victorians contributed the north aisle and arcade, the furniture and stained glass, of which the best is the east window by Hardman & Co (1873).The main figures are Faith (with a cross), an unusually buxom Charity (with a child) and Hope (with an anchor). Beneath them, and presumably relating to them, are a bearded saint leading a young saint carrying a big bundle of sticks on his back through a forest, a standing saint welcoming two kneeling saints (the details are heard to see as they're obscured by the reredos), and a saint-king apparently praying at a death bed. On the left of the window is evidence that the three light Perpendicular window that's there now was once, probably, a triplet of lancets.
I found the church open once in the 90s, but despite trying the door several times over the decades I hadn't got in again until last Bank Holiday Monday, when the village held a fete. The church was open, and packed with people all eager to see around. I can understand why some churches are kept locked, but if they're made accessible, even if only once a year (but preferably more often), people will come. There's a large notice by the door asking for donations, but no one will see it unless they can get in.
