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28th April 2020

This month I am exploring Northampton’s oldest and most romantic building. Over 900 years old, and full of atmosphere, it was built by a Norman knight after his crusade to Jerusalem in thanks for his safe return. Affectionately known as ‘St Seps’, I am visiting the unique round church of the Holy Sepulchre, found hidden in the heart of Northampton.  

Simon de Senlis was in his early twenties when he came over to England from Normandy. According to records found at Northampton’s priory of St. Andrew, Simon and his brother fought for William the Conqueror during the decisive battle at Hastings in 1066. Consequently, he was in favour with the new king, and following the execution of the Saxon Earl, Waltheof, Lord of Northampton and Huntingdon, Simon De Senlis was granted those titles, and permission to marry Waltheof’s wife, Judith. Not surprisingly, Judith was unimpressed by this and refused. Simon eventually married her daughter Maud. 

In 1095 the Christian Byzantine Empire was coming under pressure from the Islamic Arab Caliphate, who also controlled Jerusalem, the birthplace of Christianity. Pope Urban called upon all Christian Princes to mount a Crusade to regain Jerusalem and the Holy Lands. Simon De Senlis fought in this first Crusade, and the enterprise proved both successful and profitable. Seemingly it had a profound effect upon him. The campaign had effectively been an armed pilgrimage, and no crusader could consider his journey complete unless he had prayed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, reputedly the burial place of Jesus Christ. At this time, the church in Jerusalem had a central rotunda, surrounded by a colonnaded walkway, and topped with a conical roof.  Simon wanted to reproduce this holiest of churches back home in Northampton, and on his return commissioned an octagonally round church to be built out of the rich local Ironstone. This church was completed around 1110AD and it was given to the people of Northampton as a Parish Church.

As you enter the church today, the unique structure never fails to produce a WOW! The medieval rotunda still dominates the interior. Eight massive round pillars lift the circular roof giving an impression of weight and airiness at the same time. The building has had many more conventional additions over the years. A handsome tower topped with a lofty spire, and a nave generously flanked with aisles, built in the slightly later medieval period. Then late Victorian chapels, chancel and sanctuary masterminded by Sir Gilbert Scott. The whole church is lit with some truly remarkable stained glass mostly from the later Victorian period, and paved with beautiful encaustic floor tiles of the highest quality. 

Of note is the moving ‘Soldiers Chapel’ dedicated to the Northamptonshire Regiment. Here are memorials to the fallen, and regimental colours, including from the Royal Anglian Regiment. The regiments contribute in every way they can, parades, concerts and generous fundraising to help preserve the church, including contributions to the restoration of the magnificent painted decorative scheme which adorns the chapel. 

Following an alarming survey in 1979 revealing that this precious Grade 1 listed treasure was decaying and in danger of collapse, the church community rallied under the leadership of the Vicar the late Canon Howard Tibbs, and churchwarden John Kightley. The church has benefitted from a massive effort to restore the fabric of the entire building. It has taken decades, and very much more money than originally anticipated, but the church is now in a sound state and ready to face its millennium in good shape.

This month May sees a special event. It’s the 75th Anniversary of VE Day when we remember and give thanks for all those who contributed to our victory, both in the Armed Forces and the on the Home front. Let’s hope that social isolation will be lifted, and we can meet our friends and family again, and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice all those years ago in this special place. And I will also remember and thank Simon De Senlis, crusader and soldier who gave this wonderful church to the people of Northampton, so we too can make our own personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 

For more information and tickets please visit www.stsepsrestoration.co.uk

 

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