The ‘at risk’ church once victim of arson that revealed ‘rare and beautiful’ wall paintings

The church has stood at the centre of the village for more than 1,000 years

Numerous historic buildings in Cambridgeshire are suffering with deterioration or decay. If deemed ‘at risk’, they are placed on the Historic England register.

One church at risk, which has stood at the centre of a Cambridgeshire village for more than 1,000 years, is the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. It was once the victim of arson, and can be found in the charming village of Ickleton.

The church was built with a nave, a chancel and a central tower over the crossing between the two. The height of its tower was increased in the 14th century and the chancel was rebuilt during the middle of the 15th century. The chancel was rebuilt once again in the 19th century, but retaining the 15th-century pisicina and adding Gothic Revival sedilia.

Years later, in 1979, the Grade I listed building was struck by an act of arson. Thankfully there wasn’t too much damage caused, and it instead led to an interesting discovery. Hidden away for 400 years, the arson attack revealed “rare and beautiful wall paintings” which were found beneath the whitewash of the nave, according to Hinkledux Churches.

They date back from the 12th century, and are a unique find across England. According to Hinkledux Churches, nowhere else has such early surviving art from an age when every church had illustrations of saints’ lives and Bible stories on the walls, like holy picture books or sacred comic strips.

Nowadays, the church stands as an important landmark in the heart of Ickleton. Sadly, the church was listed on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk register. The Grade I listed building was deemed at “immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric”.

It is in a “poor” condition and the church’s vulnerability has been classed as “high”. According to the register, a solution has been agreed to help its condition.