Minsden Chapel At North East Corner Of Minsden Plantation Grid Reference Tl 1982 2458

TL 12 SE LANGLEY WHITWELL ROAD (West side)

4/74 Minsden Chapel at 27.5.68 NE corner of Minsden Plantation Grid Ref TL 1982 2458

II

Ruined chapel. Probably C14, mentioned in 1450, a ruin by end of C17. Flint rubble, plastered externally, with stone dressings. Remains of red brick bellcote at W gable. A small 2-cells church with nave and narrow square ended chancel. Diagonal buttresses at E end of chancel and W end of nave, but set-back corner buttress to E end of nave suggest that the church is of one build. 2 other buttresses to each side of nave. Line of creasing of lower chancel roof on E end of nave. Central doorway and 2 holes for windows on S side of nave. N doorway in same bay but further to W. Much of S wall of nave stands to full height and W wall with put log holes at 3 levels. N wall more fragmentary. Rough opening for chancel arch in E wall. Half-metre high walls of chancel with tall SE angle pier. Line of beam sockets across E face of W wall of nave at eaves height. Inscribed stone floor slab in chancel 'IN MEMORIAM/ REGINALD L HINE/HISTORIAN/OF HITCHIN/1883-1949/REQUIESCAT IN PACE'. Hine's ashes were scattered here. The church was dedicated to St. Nicholas and served the hamlets of Preston, Langley and Minsden until church rates were levied in this area for St. Mary's Hitchin and the church here fell into ruin. Scheduled Ancient Monument (Herts No.14). (RCHM (1911)137-8: VCH (1912)18: Pevsner (1977)247-8).

Listing NGR: TL1982024580