St Andrew’s was first consecrated in 1365 as a chapel of ease to Great Sampford parish church. Prior to that the village had to carry its dead to Great Sampford for burial, using the ‘corpse road’ opposite Pollards Cross.
Later, the 15th century chancel was extended in Tudor brick. The tower collapsed in1882, and the aisle walls had to be rebuilt in 1887 as part of a major restoration. The tower, however was not rebuilt until 1933 (see below). The church contains a variety of monuments to the Harvey family, including the tomb of Dr William Harvey, the discoverer of the circulation of the blood.
Mid C14 stone rubble church (consecrated in 1365). The west tower (C15) collapsed in 1882 and was rebuilt in 1933 in memory of William Harvey (1578-1657), physician to James I and Charles I and the discoverer of the circulation of the blood. The north and south arcades have quatrefoil piers and 2 centred arches. The north and south aisles were rebuilt in the C19. The chancel is C15, with a C16 brick east wall and window. The north vestry and chapel were added in the Cl7. William Harvey was buried, at first in the family vault beneath the north chapel which contains 13 remarkable lead coffins with modelled faces on them, and later was removed to the massive Carrava marble Sarcophagus, repaired by the Royal College of Physicians in 1883, in the north chapel. The font is C14. There are also a number of monuments to the Harvey family from the C17 to the C19. The church contains a brass of a Knight and Lady of circa 1500 in the north chapel and C15 and C16 brasses in the nave. The church is situated apart from the village centre. Graded for its historical value, its interior features and its association with William Harvey.
A Walk through the Centuries
Hazel Weedon’s guide to English history as reflected in Hempstead’s church – click on the image to read
The previous church guide
The fall of the Church tower, 1882
Incumbents of St Andrew’s
Click here to see a list of the incumbents over the years, with biographical details where available