Church of St Mary and St Thomas, Knebworth


The Church of St Mary and St Thomas is one of two Anglican churches in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England. The church dates from the twelfth century and is a grade I listed building.
The church is set in a churchyard which has listed tombstones by Edwin Lutyens. It is surrounded by parkland.

History

Site

Like a number of Norman churches in the area, the site is on a hill. Archaeological investigations have identified traces of an early settlement between the church and Knebworth House. It is believed that the settlement was abandoned when the park was created in c. 1300.
In 1914 work started on a new church, St Martin's, to serve the main population centre of Knebworth, but St Mary and St Thomas has remained in use.

Architecture

The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner described the exterior of the church as "architecturally insignificant". The most prominent feature is the tower, surmounted by a short spire typical of the region called a "Hertfordshire spike".
Features of interest inside the church include a Norman chancel arch and memorials to the Lytton family.
On 27 May 1968, the church was designated a grade I listed building.

Present day

The church still uses the Book of Common Prayer for its services. The church is part of the parish of Knebworth in the Archdeaconry of Hertford of the Diocese of St Albans.