Julie's Jottings for October
During the years of 1643/44, William Dowsing swept into Cambridgeshire churches with what has been described by the historian, John Morrill, as ‘an impressive record of conceited destruction.’ Many churches prepared ahead of this destructive rampage by removing paintings and artefacts and painting over the remains of ancient wall paintings. Any statues, or pictures left behind were destroyed by ‘Basher’ Dowsing. Beautiful stained glass windows in the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Great Shelford were shattered, leaving just a few traces of the heavenly city behind. And so the church was made bare.
In 1880 the PCC of St Mary’s set in place a plan to clean the interior walls of the Church. As they cleaned above the Rood Screen at the entrance to the Chancel they began to uncover an amazing painting, the Doom, which dates back to the 14th Century. They saw perhaps for the first time in around 240 years, the figure of Christ enthroned in splendour at the centre. On his right was the Virgin Mary, and to his left was the figure of John the Baptist dressed in camel hair. There are two angels who are sounding the trumpet and some people who are being led by little devils in the direction of darkness, while saints are making their procession to the heavenly city in the other direction. This Doom painting was restored more extensively in 1970 and is one of many treasures to be found the Church.
‘The Friends of St Mary’s’ is a group of people who want to ensure that this beautiful historic building is preserved and maintained for the use of the whole village. Not everyone who is part of this group goes to the Church on a Sunday. What they share with everyone who worships there, is the delight in spending time in an amazing ancient building, where even the stones speak of peace and prayer.
The rediscovery of the Doom painting brings to life a difficult part of church history. The purging of the religious images was an official policy by William Dowsing to try to stamp out idolatry. Dowsing saw art as a distraction from true worship of God. Thankfully, many more people sympathise with the contrasting view of the artist Robert Mapplethorpe who said, ‘When I work, and in my art, I hold hands with God.’
The Friends of St Mary’s would like others in the village who value this community asset, to join in their fundraising and support to keep the church open to visitors of all faiths and none. If you would like to get involved in looking after the fabric of the church for the village to enjoy, please contact Bob Doel who Chairs the Friends, bobdoel@woodlandsroad.plus.com.
Rev. Julie Norris