Development of the theology (clergy) of St. Mary's

This page will attempt to describe the development of the religion/Theology at the parish church at Belchamp Walter. I was going to call this page bw_church_cofe, but although the church is nominally known as a Church of England church its history is far that as a reasonable description.

I was also thinking of having pages describing the various faiths that were prominate in certain centuries. When the church (Nave) was built the church was definitely reporting back to Rome and the current Pope. The ownership of the building is not a simple case of assigning it to a religious house or a theology such as that based in Rome. The relationship between church and state up until the reformation and Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I was one that was influenced primarily by the papacy. Apart from a brief period under Mary I and laterly James II the protestant theology was dominant.

In the interim, and Interregnum, there was a flirtation with the Putritan theology and governance. The period of the churches history in the English Civil War is not really known but we do know that Belchamp Walter was the seat of a member of the Protectrate. This fact alone would have long lasting implications for the clergy at Belchamp Walter. We do know that there was either a resignation, voluntary or forced, of a vicar recorded as in residence at St. Mary's.

The deposition of James II in the Glorious Revolution saw the ultra Protestant William III of Orange saw the end of Roman Catholicism in the village. Or did it? The 20th century saw a number of vicars/priests/clergy with the title "Father" and the affiiation to the Order of St. Benedict. Both Aidan Harker and Eoin Buchanan are examples, vicars 1997-2012.

15th and 16th Centuries

Even though Elizabeth the 1st ordered parish churches to keep records in 1559, including a list of the clergy serving in the parish, the list still seems to be unclear and has ommisions. The records kept by Thomas Newcourt is possibly the most comprehensive that we have. The records transcibed by William Smythies in 1559 (according to the church Guide) do not agree with Newcourt even after the additions reported by EASH are added. In fact, William Smythies was vicar at St. Mary's in 1643 so I can't see he could have made a list in 1559.

Newcourt described the clergy at Belchamp Walter over this period in his Repertorium.

Post Interregnum

This becomes "less than clear" as there is preciously little documentation on behalf of the Church administration. This is probably not restricted to Belchamp Walter but it is quite evident when you consider the activities at the church.

The late 17th century saw the restoration of Charles II, the succession of his son James II who was then deposed by William III who then ruled the country as William and Mary

When Queen Anne, James II's brother and niece of Charles II, came to the throne the church was in a pretty sorry state and this led her to create "Queen Anne's Bounty" to support poor clergy.

18th Century

The death of Anne heralded the Georgian Era and much disruption within the church. According to Jeremy Morris the clergy was dominated by the gentry and there were many "alternative" theologies developing including Methodism and Evangelical movements. How this affected Belchamp Walter it is dificult to determine.

The popularity of choral music and the art and science of bell ringing seemed to play a role at the church at Belchamp Walter in this period. The West Gallery in St. Mary's was probably constructed at this time and it was more than likely that the village had a choir.

In addition to the changes in the theology in the church and the development of the history of the Church of England there was a growing interest in intellectual pursuits as campanology/change ringing. The 1770's and 1780's saw the commisioning of many of the bells that can be found in the belfry at St. Mary's.

Reform Act 1830's Church of England

After pretty much giving up on Jeremy's book and having gleaned information relating to the early church, the Reformation and the Civil War up to the Glorious Revolution, I decided to make a search for general reform in England, specifically relating to the Church of England.

The following is the AI summary:

19th

The later part of the Georgian era saw the death of the Rev Samuel Raymond (junior) in 1825. Samuel Milbank Raymond didn't seem to be that interested in church matters and was more interested in being the "squire" of the manor. However, interest contiued in change ringing and the bells were rung in a series of peals in 1885.

Interest in St. Mary's seem to have faltered and it was closed for worship in 1858 as it was in disrepair. The patronage of the Rev. John Mayne St. Clare Raymond saw the repairs and alterations made to the Chancel Arch and the extension of the Chancel's East wall.

The Victorian era did see a revival of interest in the clergy of St. Mary's with the assumpsion of John Mayne St. Clere Raymond as vicar in 1863. This also coincided with the establishment of the Church of England School in 1871 as a consequence of the Education act (1870).

Queen Victoria's church saw some radical "renovations" and the removal of Georgian additions to many parish churches including St. Mary's.

The East wall of the Nave/Chancel Arch was completely rebuilt effectively removing most of the evidence on the Rood Screen/Loft except for the stair entrance to the loft that can be seen today on the South wall across from the Victorian pulpit.

More seriously the rebuilding of the East wall of the Nave saw the addition of two new buttresses at the East end of the Nave. This most likely destroyed some medieval wall paintings that were not known to the "renovators". The Three Dead of the Three Living and Three Dead and possibly another scene from the Passion cycle - Road to Calvary or the Crucifixion maybe.

Fredrick William Pelly (Kelly) was the vicar 1882.

Thomas Leonard Vowe Simkin was the vicar in 1894. John St. Clere Raymond was the principle at the Hall.

20th and beyond

Victoria died in 1901 and St. Mary's enjoyed the Victorian "improvements" until the Medieval Wall Paintings were discovered in 1962.

The war years saw the Rev. A.P. Pannell (1899-1942) who was also vicar for Bulmer across the valley of Belchamp Brook.

Between 1942 and 1959 there were a series of vicars including Hammond, Adams and Beale.

The Reverend Trevor Howard was the vicar from 1959 until 1993. Howard became a respected member of the community and is still remembered by some of the current residents of the village. Trevor was also the vicar of Belchamp Otten and Bulmer. Trevor featured in a newspaper article extolling the village in 1972.

The clergy at Belchamp Walter towards the end of the 20th century seemed to have more that a flavour of an Anglo-Catholic nature. The effects of the two world wars may have confused or delayed this but the vicars at the time of the establishment of the benefice of North Hinckford there were clergy that appeared to be of that persuasion. Harker, Buchanan and King are examples.

The 21st century has its own problems and the fate of the church in the village is in question and the church may even face closure.