All Saints Church Hockerill (19th Century)

Although All Saints' Hockerill is a relatively young parish - 160 years old - the church has already been destroyed by fire and completely rebuilt. The parish of All Saints' was created when the parish of St Michael's, Bishop's Stortford was divided into three. The first church was built in 1851 and consecrated on 7th January 1852. As a Commissioners' church it received parliament funding. The new parish was created and assigned to the new church by Queen Victoria on 2nd February 1852. On Friday 21st June 1935 the church was gutted by a fire, making national news in 'The Times', 'The Daily Telegraph' and 'The Daily Herald'. Parishioners bravely retrieved valuable items from the burning building and tried to put out the fire. But they retreated when the roof caught alight, which then collapsed half an hour later. Firemen were able to do little owing to a lack of water. The current church is notable for being the first church designed by Stephen Dykes Bower (1903-1994), a distinguished 20th century architect. It is Grade II listed, being of special architectural interest. The building is also notable for containing a rose window by Hugh Easton (1906-65) and a pipe organ by Henry Willis II of Henry Willis & Sons. Exterior: The west front dominates the east side of Bishop's Stortford, with its striking, broad central tower, distinctive steep saddleback roof, and three impressively tall lancet windows. The use of Kentish ragstone creates a monumental effect, reinforced by buttresses that flank the aisles and chancel. At the south west entrance there is a 19th century timber lych gate, which is the only part of the original 1851 church that was not damaged by fire. Interior: The simple layout consists of a nave and two flanking aisles, leading to a long aisle-less chancel. However, the nave is preceded with a narthex at the base of the tower, containing the baptistery, which is in direct line with the high altar. The interior is in a 20th century Gothic Revival style. It is simple but noble and made bright and airy by vast open spaces, many lancet windows, and plastered walls. The impressive height of the nave, at 45ft or 14m, is accentuated by giant drum piers and gothic pointed arches, which hold a coffered wagon roof. Distinctive to All Saints', the chancel's focal point is an east rose window. The furniture is of a classical style, including four pillars that surround the high altar, and sits harmoniously within its gothic setting.