Capturing Cambridge
  • search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

St Andrew’s Chesterton

History of St Andrew's Chesterton

Chesterton Church, R Farren 1881

A church has existed at this site since at least Norman times. A detailed history is available here:

Church history

St Andrew Chesterton

The church has famous 15th century wall painting called ‘The Doom Painting’.

The Doom Painting

St Andrew Chesterton

St Andrew Chesterton

It is also famous for its association with Olaudah Equiano, a slave from Nigeria who eventually bought his freedom and came to England where he wrote about his experiences.

Olaudah Equiano

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaudah_Equiano

There is an interesting memorial to his daughter, Anna Maria Vassa who died in 1797 aged four just by the entrance to the church.

In 1789 Equiano wrote to the Cambridge Chronicle under the name Gustavus Vassa thanking the university and town of Cambridge for their kindness and hospitality:

Camb Chron 30/07/1789 – Olaudah Equiano


1868

St Andrew Chesterton


1876

Death of Benjamin Jolley, known as Charon the Ferryman


1888

In October the Rev P R Allnutt, possibly the curate, moved on to Comberton. He was presented with this book signed by the whole parish!

Rev P R Allnutt presentation book, 1888 (MoC)

Allnutt1888part1

Allnutt1888part2


1912

Further land at the church site was consecrated.

19.7.1912 Bishop of Ely consecrates additional land

19.7.1912 Bishop of Ely consecrates additional land


1914-1918

St Andrew Chesterton

St Andrew Chesterton

St Andrew Chesterton


1915

St Andrew Chesterton


1918

St Andrew’s Chesterton


1919


1930s

The base of a village cross was discovered during the demolition of cottages in Water Street. It was taken to the church for safe keeping.

Base of Chesterton village cross.


1939 – 1945

St Andrew Chesterton


1948

St Andrew’s Chesterton

 

Contribute

Do you have any information about the people or places in this article? If so, then please let us know using the Contact page or by emailing capturingcambridge@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Licence

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Dear Visitor,

Thank you for exploring historical Cambridgeshire! We hope you enjoy your visit and, if you do,  would consider making a donation today.

Capturing Cambridge makes accessible thousands of photos and memories of Cambridge and its surrounding villages and towns. It is run by the Museum of Cambridge which, though 90 years old, is one of the most poorly publicly funded local history museums in the UK. It receives no core funding from local or central government nor from the University of Cambridge.

As a result, we are facing a crisis; we have no financial cushion – unlike many other museums in Cambridge – and are facing the need to drastically cut back our operations which could affect our ability to continue to run and develop this groundbreaking local history website.

If Capturing Cambridge matters to you, then the survival of the Museum of the Cambridge should matter as well. If you won’t support the preservation of your heritage, no-one else will! Your support is critical.

If you love Capturing Cambridge, and you are able to, we’d appreciate your support.

Every donation makes a world of difference.

Thank you,
Roger Lilley, Chair of Trustees
Museum of Cambridge