Relhan Collection : 170 Haslingfield church. View from N

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>All Saints church, mostly clunch ashlar and field stones and originally C12, was rebuilt over a long period in C13 and C14, with only parts of the chancel walls surviving from C12. Patrons were the Scales family, whose arms appear on the aisle roof. The rebuilt church was re-consecrated 1352, with the tower finished later. The chancel was recorded as needing work in 1406 and was in decay 1560. Sir William Wendy restored it c.1619 and added a wagon-roof painted with patterns and emblems, renewed thanks to the vicar GC Clements, 1863–96. It may also be this Wendy who rebuilt the E wall and lowered the nave roof. WM Fawcett rebuilt the E wall again, reroofed the nave 1875-6, and added a vestry (and removed the altar tomb to a more ‘convenient place’, which meant it was lost). Brick buttresses show that the building had serious problems in Relhan’s time and restoration could not come soon enough The tower was repaired 1898–1900 and still has its small spire. The churchyard now extends beyond Relhan’s fenced area and contains many gravestones. Three men, probably small farmers and at least one of them supposed to be cutting wood with the axe that is shown, are enjoying leisurely conversation, and there are 2 other figures. </p><p>Bradley and Pevsner 2014; VCH 1973</p></p>