Benson Memorial Church

51°56′40.27″N 0°01′6.26″W / 51.9445194°N 0.0184056°W / 51.9445194; -0.0184056

St Richard of Chichester, Buntingford
Exterior view of St Richard's Buntingford as seen from the main road
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	rcdow.org.uk
History
Dedication	St Richard of Chichester
Consecrated	5 June 1940
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II
Architect(s)	Arthur Young
Style	Modern Gothic
Specifications
Capacity	160
Tower height	45 feet (14 m)
Spire height	35 feet (11 m)
Administration
Diocese	Westminster
Deanery	Lea Valley
Clergy
Priest(s)	Cyril Chiaha

The Benson Memorial Church, dedicated to St Richard of Chichester, is an English Roman Catholic church in the Hertfordshire town of Buntingford. Its name derives from the notable priest and author Robert Hugh Benson who lived locally at Hare Street House and helped fund construction of the church. Benson laid the foundation stone^[1] but died before the building was completed. The parish currently shares a parish priest with the Catholic churches in Puckeridge and Old Hall Green.

History

The church was built in 1914 by Arthur Young in the Gothic style and is Grade II listed^[2] as a building of special architectural or historic interest. It was opened in January 1915. The Lady chapel was added in 1916 and the porch in 1934. The 45-foot tall tower, surmounted by a 35-foot copper spire was added in 1939. The church was consecrated in 1940^[3] by the auxiliary bishop of Westminster, Edward Myers.

References