Olaudah Equiano, frontpiece from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

St Andrew’s Chesterton

History of St Andrew's Chesterton

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

Church history

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

The Doom Painting

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:

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1868

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1876

Death of Benjamin Jolley, known as Charon the Ferryman

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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!

Allnutt1888part1

Allnutt1888part2

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6 February 1914
Four Generations at a Baptism. —The following appears in the parish magazine of St. Andrew’s (Chesterton): “An interesting event occurred in Chesterton Church on a recent Sunday afternoon. A little child was christened and there were standing round the font, the father, the grandfather and the great-grandfather — four generations present. This is such an. unusual occurrence that it is worthy of record.”

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 14 02 06.

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1912

Further land at the church site was consecrated.

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1914-1918

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1915

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2 February 1916
Farewell. — The Rev. N. W. Shelton, who has accepted the living of the parish of Littleport, preached his farewell sermon to the parishioners of St. Andrew’s, Chesterton, on Sunday. Mr. Shelton has been at Chesterton for 13 years, and there were large congregations at both morning and evening services.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1916 02 02.

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1918

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1919

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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.

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13 October 1934
Sir – I do not think it is right for sheep to be grazing in the old Chesterton churchyard. They are prowling all over the mounds, damaging and eating shrubs that were planted to be living monuments to loved ones. If the church council cannot afford to have the churchyard groomed, only by sheep grazing, I say to the Vicar and his flock ‘Band yourselves together with sickles in your hands to make the hallowed ground look trim and neat’ – Harry Pitt.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 34 10 13

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1939 – 1945

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13 February 1942
Bell-ringer’s Death. Many friends in Cambridge and throughout the Eastern Counties will learn with regret of the death, at his home in Union Lane, Chesterton, early on Wednesday morning of Mr. Walter Eusden, known for over three score years as one of the foremost bellringers in East Anglia. Eighty-two years of age, he had earned for himself by his unique knowledge of bells a reputation that was second to none. For 61 year of his life, he was bellringer at St. Andrew’s Church, Old Chesterton, where perhaps his loss will be most felt. It was his hands that helped to toll the bells of Great St. Mary’s, where for over 30 years he rang for countless famous occasions and events. Naturally, the curtailment of bellringing at the outbreak of war robbed him of his greatest interest in life. It was his ardent wish that he might ring for his diamond wedding, which he celebrated about 18 months ago. On one occasion, that of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, he rang no fewer than 5,042 changes on the bells of St Andrew’s, Old Chesterton, and a tablet in the left aisle can be seen commemorating this. One of his greatest performances was to ring the first peals on the bells of the Roman Catholic Church, where also a tablet, this time in the bell tower, can be seen recalling the event. One of the most remarkable things about Mr. Eusden was that although he suffered from extreme deafness, he could tell exactly when any one bell was not striking correctly by the pull of the rope alone. He was also a great handbill ringer

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 42 02 12b.

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1948