Henlow Church Repairs and Alterations

Henlow Church viewed from south, early 20th century [Reference Z1130/58/12]

Most of the structural history of the church can be found in detail in Bedfordshire Historical Record Society Volume number 77 of 1998 Bedfordshire Churches in the Nineteenth Century: Part II: Parishes H to R put together by former County Archivist Chris Pickford from numerous sources some held by Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Records Service and some held elsewhere or published.

There is very little information about work done to the church before the early 19th century.  The 19th century work began in earnest with the re-seating of the church in 1853.  No architect was employed, but the advice was sought from the Incorporated Church Building Society which asked the architect E.C. Hakewell to make recommendations. In 1853 it was reported that the work had been done almost exactly to his specifications and that the church, which had been full of overly large square pews, was now more attractive and suitable.  A gallery on the south side was removed and roof repairs made.

The parish records show that from 1866 until his death in 1898 (at the age of 88) the fabric of the church was maintained by William Martin Watson of Wren Park, Clifton.  Watson was agent to the Wrest Park Estate and, from 1858-1890, County Surveyor.  He joined the congregation at Henlow after moving to Wren Park and went on to supervise repairs to the tower after lightning damage in 1879.  He also helped with the chancel restoration of 1886-7 in association with  Arthur Blomfield, oversaw repairs to the body of the church in 1889-90, and in 1895 gave the vestry and the organ chamber which were built according to his own designs.  During this time the bells were rehung and the tenor bell recast (1877), the central gallery was removed (1882) and a new organ installed (1883).

Interior view of Henlow Church, 1924 [Reference Z1306/58/3/3]

The main restoration was carried out during the incumbency of the Rev. William Holesgrove who was vicar from 1887 until his death in 1892.  The works of this period are listed in his obituary and the stained glass in the east window and the pulpit were installed in his memory in 1893.  In the same year the organ was improved and tracery in two windows in the north aisle was redone by Kett & Co. of Cambridge who were also responsible for the chancel fittings in 1887 and the 1893 pulpit.  The vestry and organ chamber were added in 1895, leaving the east window of the north aisle, with open tracery, unglazed.  In 1896-7 a new brass lectern, oak reredos and brass altar cross were introduced.

Later additions included the chapel at the east end of the south aisle with its stone reredos of 1906.  Further stained glass windows were installed in 1909-11, two in the chancel in memory of members of the Fowler family and one in the south aisle in memory of Mrs Holesgrove.  The tower was restored in 1925 and new rooms were created unfer the tower in 1994. During the 20th century further stained glass windows were also installed.