The Oldest Wooden Church In The World | Greensted Church
Situated deep in the Essex countryside lies Greensted Church or the church of St Andrew, Greensted-juxta-ongar, it’s a place of pilgrimage and from here you can walk the path of St Peters Way and finally complete your journey at St Peter-On-the-Wall in Bradwell on Sea. This church is an ancient place of worship which has the distinction of being the oldest wooden church in the world. Indeed, it is also the oldest wooden building in Europe with a nave dating back to 998 and 1063 AD. It is believed that beneath the floor of this church, the remains of a much older church and timbers dating back to 845 AD when St Cedd arrived here in East Anglia to begin his conversion of the East Saxon people. The split oak tree trunks that form the nave are the only remaining parts of the original Saxon structure, that are visible. There is also a small amount of flint within the Chancel wall which dates back to the Norman era, showing that the church was still in use after the Norman conquest of 1066. A later addition to the church, the existing Chancel was constructed in around 1500AD. The tower was built over one hundred years later during the Stuart period. In the 19th century the church went through a fairly substantial restoration by the Victorians. This included adding brickwork to the structure and replacing the dormer windows, along with a host of other alterations. The inside of this church has a somewhat dark and gloomy ambience due to only a trickle of light breaking through its tiny windows. On the north-western side of the church a ‘lepers squint’ is built into the Saxon woodwork. This would have allowed lepers (who were not allowed into the church) to receive a blessing from the priest with holy water. The church also has an incredible link to the first Patron Saint of England, long before St George held that princely position St Edmund of East Anglia was Britains first patron saint. His body was held here at Greensted Church for one night on the way to his final resting place in Bury St Edmunds. Outside the church and adjacent to the doorway lies the grave of a 12th century crusader. The fact that his grave is made of solid stone suggests that he was a highly decorated soldier. #oldestchurch #oldestwoodenchurch #greenstedchurch
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- Published: 29 July 2022
- Location: Ongar, Essex, England
- Duration: 13:57
- Photography – Stephen Robert Kuta
- Written by – Stephen Robert Kuta
Music –
Music Licensed by Epidemic Sound
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