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Cradley Herefordshire
Cradley Herefordshire

Plan of the church of St James the Great, Cradley Herefordshire
(Credelaie = Creoda's clearing) stands to the south of the parish. The 1086 Domesday Survey says the manor was held by the Bishop of Hereford holding 12 hides. There was also a priest with half a hide (60 acres) of land, although no church is mentioned. Charters for an annual fair and a weekly market were granted by Edward I to Richard, Bishop of Hereford in 1284.
The original stone Norman church was a simple oblong of chancel & nave (with not arch between) and west tower from which survives the south doorway www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/ffi7Y5 and three stage tower, its lower part dating from 1154-1167 , the top stage being added in late 14c / early 15c.

By 1864 the building was in much need of repair, but far more than repairs were envisaged by the rector Rev Edward Renn Hampden who commissioned and paid for Sir Gilbert Scott to produce plans to do a virtual re-building of the chancel. 15c bench ends survive in the choir stalls, the lower part of the screen is 15c & c1330 stone windows re-used. The local gentry and parishioners were then inspired to contribute to the re-building of the nave, with subscriptions ranging from one penny to £100.
In 1868 the nave oak roof and chancel arch were put in. The west gallery & box pews were removed.
To achieve more seating architect A E Perkins added the north aisle in 1869-70 (with the Lady Chapel at the east end). The original 14c windows were re-inserted in the new north wall at the same time and the pulpit altered.
Afterwards the organ by John Nicholson of Worcester was presented by the rector and installed in 1874 (replacing the harmonium )
An old (16c ?) wooden south porch similar in style to the lychgate was removed and replaced in 1893 as a memorial to Rev Renn Hampden.

The clock on the tower was installed as a memorial to those who died in the 1st World War . It is wound by hand with the main clock, the chiming mechanism being wound separately. The clock chime strikes the tenor bell, making it necessary to disengage the clock chiming hammer before the bells can be rung
There are 6 bells by Abraham Rudhall 1724 which were overhauled and re-hung in 1884. But before that in 1756 Thomas Watkins was asked to "find a goode harte of oak stocke for the sixth bell, and a new wheel for the same" which was done "within the space of 3 weeks" costing £2 7s
They are inscribed "Peace and Good Neighbourhood" ; "Let us ring for Church and King"; "Prosperity for the Church of England"; "Abraham Rudhall cast us all"; "William Kent, the Heath House, churchwarden"; "Thomas Bisse DD Rector"
Bell ringing rules (and fines) are given on a board dated 1795 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/4Y68F1

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Taken on: September 26, 2018
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with cradley cradley Everybody's photos tagged with church church Everybody's photos tagged with herefordshire herefordshire
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Cradley Herefordshire

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