Church of Saint Leonard, Bengeo
Encyclopedia
The Church of Saint Leonard is a Norman
church in Bengeo
, Hertfordshire
. Located on the hillside overlooking the shared Beane
and Lea valley, the church dates from about 1120, and is the oldest building in Hertford
. The church served as the parish church of Bengeo until the larger Holy Trinity Church was opened in 1855. St. Leonard's was stripped of its fittings and stood empty and unused for some years, until the Gosselin family of nearby Bengeo Hall commissioned its restoration
and refitting between 1884 and 1894.
The church is built of flint with stone dressings and has a tiled roof. The nave is coated with plaster with an open collar-beam roof. The south doorway dates from the 12th century, with the addition of a 18th century brick porch. The chancel roof and the wooden west bellcote both date from the 19th century restoration. The bellcote houses a single bell, dated 1636.
Remains of medieval wall paintings were uncovered during restoration work in 1938 by William Weir
.
The church is used for Sunday services during summer months, and also hosts exhibitions and concerts.
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
church in Bengeo
Bengeo
Bengeo is a parish in Hertfordshire, England. It is referenced in the Domesday Book, where it is called "Belingehou". It is situated on a rise between the River Beane and River Rib overlooking Hartham Common and the rest of the town of Hertford.-Name:...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. Located on the hillside overlooking the shared Beane
River Beane
The River Beane is a tributary of the River Lea. It rises to the south-west of Sandon, Hertfordshire in the hills northeast of Stevenage in Hertfordshire....
and Lea valley, the church dates from about 1120, and is the oldest building in Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
. The church served as the parish church of Bengeo until the larger Holy Trinity Church was opened in 1855. St. Leonard's was stripped of its fittings and stood empty and unused for some years, until the Gosselin family of nearby Bengeo Hall commissioned its restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
and refitting between 1884 and 1894.
The church is built of flint with stone dressings and has a tiled roof. The nave is coated with plaster with an open collar-beam roof. The south doorway dates from the 12th century, with the addition of a 18th century brick porch. The chancel roof and the wooden west bellcote both date from the 19th century restoration. The bellcote houses a single bell, dated 1636.
Remains of medieval wall paintings were uncovered during restoration work in 1938 by William Weir
William Weir (architect)
William Weir was a Scottish architect who specialised in the repair of ancient structures.Weir left school at sixteen to become a pupil of Edinburgh architect Archibald MacPherson, while also attending the Edinburgh School of Art...
.
The church is used for Sunday services during summer months, and also hosts exhibitions and concerts.