Click on the first photo – and GDPR

Click on the first photo to bring up the gallery – then use the arrows to scroll through the other photos.  There's a caption under each photo.

Not happy with a photo? Please refer to Hatley Parish Council’s General privacy policy – especially the second paragraph headed ‘Hatley website’ – and if necessary e-mail the Parish Clerk.

Celebrating St Denis' church

There's much to celebrate about St Denis' church in East Hatley – first, and most importantly, it still exists as a building in which we can admire its medieval structure, walk around and (from May 2022) go inside.

But, from 1959, when it was last used for worship, until 2002 it didn't look that way at all; thankfully over the following four years much was done to turn a building in serious danger of collapse into a 'safe shell' (albeit without any windows and hardly any floor) – and, hooray, give to the Friends of Friendless Churches, who would be 'willing to take the freehold of the Grade II* listed church of St Denis, East Hatley and safeguard it in perpetuity’.

Then in 2017, on a rather damp July evening, came the wonderful occasion when South Cambs District Council, owners of the building since 1985, handed over a ceremonial key to the Friends of Friendless Churches in front of over 50 local people and dignitaries (after the customary speeches and Champagne of course).

A year later, on a far sunnier evening, Rachel Morley, Director of the FoFC, hosted another party to show off the the first part of its restoration programme to bring St Denis' back to how William Butterfield left it after his restoration in 1874. Here's a copy of her talk, detailing some of the changes he made.

After further investment by the FoFC in St Denis' (see St Denis’ re-skinned), it is a real delight to say the church is open every day from around 8.30 am to dusk to look round or for quiet contemplation.

Background articles

In addition to the first link (to our main St Denis' church page), we've included links to older articles detailing how the building went from a ruin its then owners (South Cambs District Council) wanted to demolish to its very bright future:

• • St Denis’ East Hatley – 800 years old but no longer consecrated.
  • Who was St Denis? – more than just a 3rd-century Christian martyr.
  • It’s to be saved – the 2005 commitment by South Cambridgeshire District Council to restore not demolish St Denis' church.
  • Just how was St Denis’ saved? – by local determination… and being listed.
  • FoFC's acquisition – the Friends of Friendless Churches acquire St Denis’ church.
  • The next chapter – a reminder of how the process of restoring St Denis’ church began.
  • St Denis’ re-skinned – new plaster gives new life to 800 year old church.
  • Announcement of a Culture Recovery Fund grant, 8th October 2020.
  • Article on the 2021 Culture Recovery Fund grant, 22nd December 2021.
  • Photo gallery – celebrating handing over St Denis’ church keys to the Friends of Friendless Churches by South Cambridgeshire District Council in July 2017... and other events.
  • Notes provided by Rachel Morley, Director Friends of Friendless Churches, for the talk she gave during the St Denis' open evening, 20th July 2018.
  • A little less of St Denis following the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019.
  • The Say rectors of East Hatley – they gave 112 years of service to the parish.
  • General leaflet – the church of St Denis, East Hatley / A4, 2 pp, September 2022.
  • Visitor guide leaflet – 39 things about St Denis' / A5, 4 pp, September 2022.
  • 360° view – by Alex Brad, 360 Deaneries, 3rd July 2022. NB It opens to a Facebook page.
  • Video [1] – by Churches of the Past / June 2022. It captures the ambiance and atmosphere of St Denis' – and the wildlife around the church.
  • Video [2] – by Village and Town History / September 2021. It puts St Denis' in context with other historical events. It was made before the nave and chancel were given a new coat of plaster and lime wash in spring 2022.

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  Visiting St Denis' church

  St Denis’ is open every day from around 8.30 am to dusk for anyone to look round, for quiet contemplation and (at some point) for events – see St Denis’ church: it’s future.

  The address is
  

  St Denis’ church
  East Hatley
  Cambridgeshire
  SG19 3JA

  Grid reference
  

  TL  28522 50513
  Easting  528522
  Northing  250513
  Latitude  52.137977
  Longitude  -0.123484
  Grid reference link

  Plus code  4VQG+5H

  What three words  slightly.beanbag.pins

  There's also this handy visitor guide – 39 things about St Denis' / A5, 4 pp, September 2022.

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  _{Photography by Peter Mann. Page created 15th January 2020; text updated 5th October 2022.}