The Hartford Hundred West Group comprises five churches in four parishes in rural south Hertfordshire. These are:
St Mary, Bayford
Holy Cross & St Alban, Brickendon
St Mary the Virgin, Essendon
St Andrew, Little Berkhamsted
St Mary, Ponsbourne (Newgate Street Village)
The church of St. Andrew stands about the centre of the village of Little Berkhamsted, and consists of chancel, north chapel, nave, north aisle, south porch and wooden bell-cote. The walls are faced with Kentish rag.
History
It is thought that there was a church here in Saxon or Norman times. Mention of an 'old church' was made in 1225 and the first recorded Rector was appointed in 1227. The wooden bell tower was added in the 14th century. The Lombardic lettering on one bell suggests it was made prior to 1400; the other two are dated 1621 and 1718. In 1831 the north aisle was added. In 1857 the whole of the outside was clad in the Kentish ragstone we see today. In 1897 the interior was extensively renovated and the south porch added. In 1962 further restoration and alteration was carried out. The original 17th century doors that had been removed from the south door in 1857 were re-instated. These bear a hole which is said to have been made by a bullet during the Civil War.
The church is said to have been rebuilt about 1647 on the site of an older building, but the only remains of that date are parts of the east and west walls, the rest of the church being modern. In the chancel are some late 17th-century floor-slabs to the families of Pendred, Nevill and Fleetwood.
http://www.hartfordhundred.org.uk/littleb.php
There are three bells: the first, by John Waylett, dated 1718; the second inscribed 'Ave Maria gracia plena dominus tecum benedicta tu in mulieribus' in Lombardic lettering; the third, dated 1621, cast by Robert Oldfeild. The translation of this inscription is: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.
The communion plate consists of a cup of 1565, a cover paten of 1576, another paten, 1721, an almsdish with handles (silver), 1791, a plated flagon (Sheffield), c. 1790, and two pewter almsdishes, c. 1720.
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