St Andrews, Helions Bumpstead, Essex

St Andrew’s in Helions Bumpstead is an unusually light church. In part this is due to the south wall of the nave, rebuilt in the 16th century and, to repeat the lines about Hardwick Hall, it is more glass than wall. This superfluity of daylight is also reflected by the pews which have been painted white since the 1930s. The walls and columns are also whitewashed, but the 14th century southern arcade was left alone when the south aisle was rebuilt in the 16th century and the subsequent 19th century restoration. This has meant that most of the graffiti has survived almost miraculously through two sets of restoration.

There are several Marian marks and a selection of compass designs ranging from a plain circle to some daisy wheels.

The columns are home to several crosses of various types.

The rest of the non-tourist graffiti is made up of dot patterns, cross hatching, a faint hand outline, and a fine crossbow. It is worth noting an unusual number of arrow symbols and triangles.

The rest of the graffiti is made up of names and initials. The earliest date is 1611.

Report by Anthea Hawdon

St Andrews
Church Hill
Helions Bumpstead
Haverhill
Essex
CB9 7AJ

The church is usually open during daylight hours. There is no on-street parking, but you may be able to park at the village hall a litlle further up Church Hill.

Search terms: graffiti, historic graffiti, Marian mark, W, M, WR, RP, Unknown marks, MB, 1677, ATRR, monogram, ER, IN, TR, I Rolin, 1611, IO, RR, EA, TE, TR, TR, EL, NC I, Thomas, heart, TL, 16, IK, 1713, RP, 17, 1799, GP, Up arrow, down arrow, arrow, circle (compass drawn), cross, other marks, daisy wheel (compass drawn), triangle, cross hatching, hand outline, WP, square, saltire, multiple daisy wheel (compass drawn), RM, triangles (concentric), shield, SA, dot pattern, circle (hand drawn), crossbow, M, W, RST, W, 1600s, 1700s, 1670s, 1610s, 1710s, 1790s