Olney’s Church of St Peter & St Paul is celebrating a very special birthday in 2025 – its 700 year anniversary. Sammy Jones learned more about its history with the help of churchwarden Malcolm Jones. Long before the first ever pancake was flipped in the town or the Roundheads and Cavaliers were at war, residents […] The post Celebrations for a marvellous milestone appeared first on MK Pulse.
Olney’s Church of St Peter & St Paul is celebrating a very special birthday in 2025 – its 700 year anniversary. Sammy Jones learned more about its history with the help of churchwarden Malcolm Jones.
Long before the first ever pancake was flipped in the town or the Roundheads and Cavaliers were at war, residents had been worshipping at the church which is located on the southern approach to the historic town, although Olney’s original church is believed to have been located at the northern end.
The style of St Peter & St Paul provides the clues necessary to date the building, and the belief is that it was constructed between 1325 and 1350, when the Gothic style was very much in favour.
“There are no records of cost or architect but the Manor at the time was owned by Ralph, Lord Basset of Drayton, who was a great builder of churches, so it was almost certainly instigated by him. The spire is typical of Northamptonshire churches and the interior is very similar to Emberton Church, so it is thought they had the same builders. There was once a separate ‘Chantry Chapel’ to pray for the soul of Ralph Basset after his death in 1390, which strengthens this connection,” says Malcolm.
The church stands on the bank of the River Ouse, but apparently that wasn’t always the plan.
Local legend says the church was originally planned to be closer to the main road, which is where the foundation stones were laid.
“One night they mysteriously moved to the next field, where the church is now,” Malcolm (inset, left) told Pulse History, “They were moved back, but then on another night it happened again, so this was taken as a sign from God that the church should be built in its current location.”
Before they were linked in the 13th century, Olney comprised two settlements – and as mentioned earlier, an 11th century Saxon church was believed to have been in use.
“The deeds of the old Castle Pub, now Maya restaurant, mention the old churchyard walls as their boundary. One story tells of a beam uncovered in the church in 1800 which was inscribed ‘This beam laid up by Ben Marriott and Michael Hinde churchwardens July 17, 1718, and 700 years from its first building,” Malcolm said.
In the 13th century, while not the bustling town it is today, Olney would still have been a busy place, and it was affluent – records state that it had 56 burgesses, or prosperous middle class landowners.
Thanks to its impressive spire, the church is announced before your arrival in the town – it stands 185ft tall.
“The sides are slightly converse to give the impression of being flat, or entasis,” Malcolm explained, “Without this technique, the spire sides would appear to bow inwards. Another design feature is that the chancel inclines slightly to the north, all churches are built on an east/west axis. This is said to symbolise Christ’s head on the cross leaning to one side.”
Religious or otherwise, few buildings remain unchanged through time, and the Church of St Peter & St Paul is no exception. The 19th century renovation of the church was mainly due to the architect Sir Gilbert Scott. Gawcott born, Scott’s career began as a designer of workhouses before he moved into the design and renovation of churches and cathedrals.
Scott was also the architect of the Midland Grand Hotel, now known as London’s St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
“He tended to ‘scrape’ churches to get back to the medieval stonework, so much earlier wooden decoration has been lost,” Malcolm explained, “The Nave roof has also been lowered so the church is very unusual in that the chancel roof is higher than the nave.”
During medieval times the church had a wooden rood screen which separated the chancel and the nave. This feature was destroyed during the reformation, although some wood from it was still retained in the early 19th century.
But there is more mystery associated with the rood…
“One fascinating mystery is the painting of ‘Elijah and the Ravens’ which is said to have adorned the rood screen in medieval times. After the reformation and its disappearance from Olney, a painting of the same subject appeared in the records of Talley Abbey in South Wales, and it is thought that this is the same painting, subsequently restored, which is now in St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. Both Talley Abbey and the church in Olney had links to the Earls of Warwick, which may account for the painting’s preservation.”
One of our most favourite things to do is to visit ancient cemeteries, and the one in Olney has lots of historic examples of headstones and memorials, with the oldest dating back to around 1700, and the most famous of all the names resting there is John Newton – the man responsible for penning Amazing Grace.
Lesser known is in the input by Henry Gauntlett into one of our most well-known Christmas carols. Gauntlett was the church organist at just nine years old – when his father was minister.
In later life, Henry became one of this country’s foremost church musicians.
A year after Cecil Frances Alexander penned the poem Once In Royal David’s City – in her hymn book Hymns for Little Children – Henry discovered the words and set them to music.
Many of you will have seen the installations – by artist Wayne Warren – which are colouring up the interior and exterior of the church, but there are also postcards encouraging you to get creative as part of the installation event, and limited edition art works are available to purchase.
How to join in with the 700 year anniversary celebrations
The church is marking its milestone birthday with a week of events planned between June 28 and July 6.
Highlights include: Peal of Bells Saturday, June 28, 2pm The celebrations will begin with a peal of 5,700 ‘Stedman Caters’ which will be quite the event. Beginning at 2pm, the full peal of bells will take just under four hours in all! Church Ale Saturday, June 28, 7pm-10pm A 700th anniversary ale is being brewed and the church will welcome you for food, a roast and a chance to sup the special ale – you can buy bottles and souvenir glasses.
Numbers will be limited. Olney Cherry Fair Sunday, June 29, Midday Events, activities, food and stalls – a real ‘for all the family’ event Flower Festival Sunday, June 29 – Sunday, July 6 Petal power available to view inside the church during daylight hours – the floral displays will be based on the anniversary. History Day Saturday, July 5 Olney Archaeological Society will present a talk by Professor Stephen Upex on the church in the Olney landscape, between 10.30am and 11.30am.
A chance to investigate Liz Knight’s papers on the history of the building, which her family have gifted to the church, will follow at 2pm. 700th Anniversary Concert Saturday, July 5 The Sheppard Singers present a range of sacred and secular music from the last 700 years.
Milton Keynes Museum is one of the best interactive museums, a perfect outing for all ages, staffed by friendly volunteers, and highly recommended by visitors on TripAdvisor. This feature was written by Milton Keynes Museum. Find out more about forthcoming events and see our opening times at: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
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