… And day one –
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I collected my friend from the station about 25 miles from my home, and we took a slight detour via a tiny, ancient village. Little Missenden is utterly beautiful. A mixture of periods and styles that span the history of the area. But the little parish church of St John the Baptist is something else.
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The church itself sits peacefully on the edge of the village. An ancient yew grows in the churchyard shading the graves. Unusually in these times, the church stands open most days. Massive oak posts, cracked and warped with age support the porch and a dark oaken door with a heavy ring gives entry.
It was late and the place was in darkness save for the sanctuary candle. We switched on a light and my friend stood in awe of the faded but beautiful red ochre painting on the wall. The paintings, of St Christopher, angels and the crucifixion date back 800 years or so. To see them preserved here, in a church first begun 200 years or so before they were painted, is, quite simply, awesome…
Continue reading at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo