Campton Shefford

Small Parish Church set in the heart of Campton village.

For over eight centuries, this historic church has been a unique focus for Christian worship and belief in Campton and a church has stood here since the 7th Century.

 The influence of the Osborn family of Chicksands Priory is visible throughout – there are 7 tablets and windows dedicated to family members, all Campton Church worshippers and benefactors. The visible yet often anonymous influence of people from all walks of life is everywhere in the church whether through the workmanship of craftsmen, or donors of gifts in memory, or the writers of graffiti, of which there are numerous examples.

Nave-North Aisle

The north wall dates from 1649. A number of architectural fragments from earlier periods, some believed to be from Chicksands Priory, are clearly visible incorporated in this and other walls of the church. There are monuments set in the wall dedicated, amongst others, to Sir Danvers Osborn and the Revd. Arthur McGee, the last rector resident in the village. The ornate stone font, installed in 1893-4, commemorates the Hon. Charlotte Osborn.

Nave-Chancel Arch

The Gothic-style brass lectern is late 19th Century. The pulpit is constructed from parts of a 14th Century Screen incorporating a traceried panel from the former screen. The 18th Century grey marble font rests on a stone pedestal against the chancel arch.

Nave-West End

The west end of the church is dominated by the gallery, which was designed and constructed by Peter Farmer in 2002.  Underneath the galleried seating area is a toilet and the Fred Oakley Room, dedicated to a Campton resident and church benefactor who died in 2000. His legacy enabled the room to include a kitchen area. These facilities have provided a much-needed modernisation, complementing the style and dignity of the older structure.

Chancel

The two-tiered glazed screen that separates the Chancel from the Osborn Chapel is dated 1649. The communion rail is 18th Century. To the left of the altar is a fine late baroque wall tablet monument to the Revd Edmond Williamson, d.1839, and his family. There are floor slabs in memory of parish rectors located respectively to the left and right of the altar.

The altar is framed by a two-centred chancel arch, with male headstops and 14th Century arched niches to the left and right. The male headstops on the N. niche wear a style of soft cap that was popular in about 1500, while those on the S. niche are bareheaded. To the right of the altar is a 14th Century piscina (a stone basin for draining water) which also has a male headstop, and we wonder if these and other facial images in the church were modelled on real people.

The east window depicts at the top the Lamb of God with a Banner of Victory and below 16 images of saints. The window in the south wall of the chancel is decorated with Faith, Hope and Charity. The glass lights, designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, were made by Chance of Oldbury and dedicated in 1912.

The organ possibly originated from Chicksands Priory. It was installed in its purpose-built chamber in 1894. The brass memorial to the right of the organ commemorates Richard and Johanne Carlyle. Translated, the inscription reads ‘Pray for the souls of Richard Carlyle, esquire, and of Joan (or Johanne) his wife, who died on the fourteenth of February, Anno Domini 1489. On whose souls may God have mercy.’

Osborn Chapel

The Chapel contains monuments to members of the Osborn family. On the north side is a group of two large white marble altars with reredoses (decorated screens) behind and carved oval armorial cartouches with hanging fabric and garlands between. These memorials by John Stone (1620-1667), the son of Robert Stone, are superb examples of 17th Century church monumental sculptures. Amongst those commemorated are Sir Peter Osborn d. 1653, who was Governor of Guernsey when its castle was besieged by the Puritan navy, and John Osborn who, after a distinguished diplomatic career, died at Rudolfstadt in Saxony in 1814 on the eve of his return to England after 8 years as a captive under Bonaparte.

Nave-South Aisle

The 14th Century piscina is next to the altar. The windows in the south wall, like the east windows, are by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. Those at the east of the wall represent SS Peter and Paul.

Here too is a Welsh stone memorial to the pastoral poet Robert Bloomfield. This was installed in 2003. Bloomfield, who composed The Farmer’s Boy and lived in Shefford, is buried in the churchyard.

Ringing Chamber

The oak screens that form the E. and N. sides of the ringing chamber are 15th Century and were formerly part of the chancel screen. Their former appearance is shown in two photographs now hanging in the Oakley Room.

The four hatchments (diamond-shaped wooden tablet representing the coats of arms of the deceased) were displayed at funerals. The example on the South wall was for St George Osborn, 4th Bt., who died in 1818. There are 3 others on the church walls for him and his widow who died two years earlier.

Bells .... UPDATE.

An exhaustive description of the church and its artefacts has been compiled in the NADFAS Record of Church Furnishings 2002 sponsored by Mrs Sarah Saunders Davies (nee Osborn) and by the Beds and Herts Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies. If you wish to consult the Record, please apply to one of the Churchwardens.

Beadlow, SG17 5PH
(01525) 860800
beadlowmanor.co.uk/

Beadlow Manor Golf & Country Club, Beadlow

Mill Lane, Campton, SG17 5NX
(01462) 812657

This charming country-pub is over 300 years old and is a grade II listed free house which has three bar areas. Exposed brickwork, wooden beams, and quarry tiled floors. The large garden has a well equipped play area. The regular ale is St....