Northampton's 900-year-old church hopes to welcome more visitors

A church which has stood at the heart of Northampton for more than 900 years is hoping to welcome even more people through its doors.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Church Lane dates back to 1100 AD, making it one of the oldest buildings in Northampton, even surviving the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675.

It is one of only four medieval round churches in England still used for worship, with the Holy Sepulchre being the largest and oldest still in existence.

It was built by the first Earl of Northampton Simon de Senlis following a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which is known as the holiest site in the Christian religion.

Simon was so inspired by the building, which is believed to be where Jesus is buried, that he returned to Northampton and modelled a church on it.

Gawain Pitt, assistant to the church warden, says since then the building has grown, with medieval aisles, chapels and a tower added. There was also a restoration in the Victorian period under English Gothic Revival architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.

Gawain said: “The result is a wonderful mixture of Norman, Gothic and Victorian architecture, all contained within one building.

“There are many fascinating features inside, from the beautifully carved Norman capitals and unusual medieval stone carvings to historic memorials and the Soldiers' Chapel, which reflects the church's longstanding connections with Northampton's military history.

“What makes the church particularly extraordinary is its original circular nave, supported by eight great Norman stone columns, which visitors can still walk around today. Standing beneath these arches, you are surrounded by stonework that has witnessed more than nine centuries of Northampton's history. There are very few places in Northampton where you can experience such a direct connection with the town's earliest medieval history.”

The church is still an active place of worship with regular services every Tuesday and Sunday, and monthly open days for visitors.

And over the next year the team hope to welcome even more people to visit and learn about the history on their doorstep.

Next year it is involved in a project with the other three surviving medieval round churches in England where visitors are welcomed from across the country.

Gawain added: “Today, the Holy Sepulchre remains an active place of Christian worship as well as an important part of Northampton's heritage. Through church services, heritage open days, guided visits and the work of volunteers, we are keen to share its history and encourage more people to discover what is right on their doorstep.

“One of the things we particularly enjoy when welcoming visitors is showing them details they would ordinarily walk straight past. Even after more than 900 years, the church still holds mysteries, stories and architectural features which continue to reward closer investigation.

“Above all, our aim is to make the Holy Sepulchre a place that more people feel connected to, whether through their faith, an interest in history, architecture or simply a curiosity about one of Northampton's greatest surviving medieval treasures.”

Visit holysepulchre.co.uk for more information and the church’s upcoming open days.