Churches of Bedfordshire

The Saxons and Normans left their mark on Bedfordshire's churches, with many still standing today. John Bunyan was baptized in Elstow, and the Abbey at Elstow was founded by William the Conqueror's niece. This book showcases 100 churches in the county, reflecting different styles, periods, and locations. It includes remote villages and more sizeable communities, offering a cross-section of the diocese of St Albans.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The Saxons played a significant role in shaping the history of Bedfordshire, leaving behind enduring signs of their presence in the form of early churches. Even after the Norman Conquest, church building continued, with notable examples such as the foundation of the Abbey at Elstow by William the Conqueror's niece, Judith of Lens, towards the end of the eleventh century. One of Bedfordshire's most famous sons, John Bunyan, was baptized in the church of St Mary and St Helena at Elstow over 500 years later, just one of approximately fifty places of worship featured in this selection of Bedfordshire churches following John and Jenny Jackson's extensive travels around their home county's places of worship. With around 100 supporting photos, their selection is not just about the best in the county but also reflects different styles, periods, and locations within one of the country's smallest counties. Many of these more remotely located churches are in little-known villages, but nevertheless offer a charm of their own alongside the more sizeable communities of Bedford and Luton. This book aims to showcase the wide diversity on offer within the Bedfordshire area of the diocese of St Albans, providing a fascinating picture of an important part of the history of Bedfordshire over the centuries. This book will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this attractive county in England.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 233 x 165 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398118218