St James the Great, Hanslope, Milton Keynes

		The Church of St. James the Great is a potent symbol of the presence of a Christian community in the village of Hanslope that is visible from as far away as Dunstable Downs. It is by far oldest building in the village, and its age is a reminder that Christians have played an important part in the village for over 800 years. The church was built by William Maudit in 1160. The building was the size of the present chancel and nave, but without the clearstory. The north and south aisles were built during the 13th century. Later in the Century the chapel adjoining the chancel was built, also at the same time the chancel east wall was re-built. The north aisle was extended eastwards to join the chapel. In the 14th century was an extra bay added to the south aisle to bring it to its present size. The church is 136 feet long, the main body is 61 feet wide and the spire is now 186 feet high.
During the 15th century built Rector Thomas Knight the tower and spire early in the century. The north aisle was re-built. Later in the Century the present nave arcades were built and a clearstory added along with both porches. In the 19th Century was the spire completely re-built after the old one was destroyed in a storm of 1804.

St James the Great, Hanslope, Buckinghamshire

The priest's doorway is
original 12th century.

The entrance to the church is through
this north porch built in the late
15th Century.

Some gravestones which can be found in the church yard of St James the Great:

Joseph Cleaver was born at Clipston,
Northamptonshire and was buried in
Hanslope on 05 May 1856. His last abode
was Hungate End.
Ann Cleaver lived after her husband's death
in Winwick, Northamptonshire.
She was buried in Hanslope on
08 October 1858 and became 64 years old.

Sacred
to the memory of

Joseph Cleaver

husband of

Ann Cleaver

who departed this life
April 21^th 1856
aged 67

also of Ann Cleaver

who departed this life
October 2? ????
aged ??

A grave stone on the cemetery of St James the Great

Sacred
to the memory of

Ann Cleaver

daughter of Joseph and
Ann Cleaver

who departed this life
March 11^th 1845
aged 22 years

Ann Cleaver lived with her parents in Hungate End.
She was buried on 15 March 1845.

Rebecca Cleaver's last abode was Bullington End.
Her burial took place on 15 June 1823.
William Cleaver was buried on 22 August 1826.
His calculated birth year is 1781 and he also lived
in Bullington End.

In
memory of

Rebecca, daughter of

William & Ann Cleaver

who died June XX, 1823
aged 31 years.

A grave stone on the cemetery of St Peters

Sacred
to the memory of

Alex. McKay

XXXX of Glasgow

who died 3 June 1830
Aged 26 years.

Alexander McKay came from Glasgow and was
buried in Hanslope on 05 June 1830.

In
loving memory
of

Catherine Attwell

who departed this life
October 22^nd 1890
aged sixty seven

"With Christ which is far better"

In loving memory
of

George Garrett
died Jan - 9 - 1925,
aged 82 years

also
Mary Garrett
died April 8 - 1931
aged 78 years

also
Arthur Garrett
killed in action in France
Nov - 8 - 1918
aged 25 years

The family lived at Fish street in 1911.
The dwelling had 4 rooms occupied.
There were George Garrett, 67, Farm labourer
Mary Garrett, 59, wife
Elizabeth Garrett, 35, daughter
Arthur Garrett, 17, son
Hilda Garrett, 14, daughter
The couple had 13 children. One of them have died.

Sacred
to
the memory of

Kitty

daughter of Matthew
and Susanna Adams
who departed this life
March 25 1836
aged 45 years