News & Events - Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride

Saturday 14 September 2024

On Saturday 14 September St Matthew's took part in the annual Ride+Stride for Churches, organised by the county Historic Churches Trust - voluntary organisations that raise money for the restoration and maintenance of historic churches and chapels, supported by the national Churches Trust.

Roger, Tony, Barbara and Christine volunteered to help man St Matthew's over four hours to record the riders and striders who came through our doors doing their bit to raise money on behalf of their own churches.

No-one had volunteered to ride or stride for us though, until… a member of our community who had experienced a devastating injury to his knee just before the Summer Fete and has since been recovering from his operation, said he would like to get to at least one church he'd never been in before. So well done to Nick, our intrepid hero! This then is:

Nick's story

This year's Ride & Stride was more Hop & Hope, thanks to my recent knee operation.

First stop was the magnificent Holy Sepulchre, one of only four remaining medieval round churches still in use in England. This was my first visit, despite living in Northampton all my life.

It was built around 1100 by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton who wanted to make Northampton a Norman stronghold after returning from the Crusades. He also built the now-demolished Northampton Castle.

Among the majestic stone pillars and intricate wood carvings is a very thorough display on the history of Northampton and its huge importance in medieval England. It includes the story of Thomas Becket's escape from Northampton castle in 1164 after his arrest by King Henry II. Becket is said to have run to the Holy Sepulchre for a last prayer before fleeing on horseback disguised as a monk.

Today, he could have popped into the nearby Thomas à Becket pub for a few Hail Marys before jumping on the next train out.

Next, Denise and I visited All Saints' to admire the wonderful dome. It's incredible that Charles II donated wood from Royal forests to rebuild the church after the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675, considering the townsfolk had fought with the Roundheads against his dad.

Then to St Peter's in Marefair, thought to be the third church built on the site of a former Saxon palace. Although now closed, St Peter's dates back to 1150 and is protected by the Churches Conservation Trust. We were given a guided tour by Trust historian Jenny who showed us the magnificent Norman zigzag chevron arches and wonderful stonework which was later plastered over by Puritan zealots.

Cromwell and his killjoys really have a lot to answer for. Beheading the King and banning Christmas are bad enough without defacing our beautiful churches.

Final stop was the White Elephant for a cool pint and chance to rest that painful knee!

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