Little Hampden 

Welcome to the dedicated page for Little Hampden Church, one of two smaller churches within the Great Missenden Parish.

Services

Services at Little Hampden typically take place on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 11:30am with coffee at 11am.

​Services at all the Churches at all of our church is detailed hereand other events  can be found here.

Services at all the Churches at all of our church is detailed  here, and other events  can be found here.

Visits

If you would like to visit Little Hampden Church, please contact the Parish Office 01494 862352, who will arrange to open the building for you. You can also find a video of our lay minister Tricia giving us a tour here.

Location

 
 

Follow the Rignall Road out of Great Missenden for 2 miles; turn right at the Old Forge (signed Little Hampden) proceed uphill for 1 mile and the church can be found on the left hand side elevation.

Limited parking is available in the yard of the farm, opposite the church.

History

Little Hampden Church can be dated at least from the 12th century. Because of common ownership of land in Little Hampden and Hartwell, the church was linked with the church at Hartwell. 
Small daughter Churches like Little Hampden often had no dedication and this is still the case today. This association lasted until 1892 when Little Hampden church was joined with Great Hampden. Following the death of the Rev Percival Hill, the last Rector of Great and Little Hampden in 1985, Little Hampden was joined to the parish of Great Missenden.
 

Architecture


In this little church, built mostly of flint, the nave is barely larger than the chancel. It is entered by the north door, the south having been blocked up in the 18th century, when the two south windows were created. The centre chancel arches were enlarged at about the same time using original stones, including one with a defaced 12 century moulding, the apex being completed in brick.

The most interesting features of the church are the wall paintings in the nave, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. On each side of the chancel arch are 13th century painted figures, which may have represented a bishop and apostles before the chancel arch was cut out.

Unusually positioned on the south wall, the remains of a 14th century Weighing of the Souls (Doom) can be seen, with the Virgin Mary at one end of the scales and the Devil at the other. To the west of the north doorway is reputedly the oldest representation of St Christopher (13th century). To the east of the doorway, at eye-level, are two 13th century figures, probably St Peter holding a book and key and St Paul holding a sword. Above them, painted in the 15th century, is a large head of St Christopher with his right hand holding a staff.

The chancel was almost completely rebuilt in the mid-19th century. At the east end of the south wall is a 13th century piscina with a band of running foliage. On the same wall, a little to the west, is a much defaced 12th century figure of a bishop found during the Victorian restoration. At the west end of the north wall of the chancel is a small, low lancet window of the 12th century.

The ancient altar slab with five consecration crosses, was buried in the floor, presumably during the Reformation, and was restored to its present position in 1942. The large porch is a 15th century timber framed structure on a brick base with plaster filling. It has two storeys, the upper one housing a bell cast in 1791.
 
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If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you about planning a visit.
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Planning your Visit

New to Church?

Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, or have a new interest in our church, we hope that you can find all of the information that you need within our website.
 
Of course, if you have further questions, we welcome you to get in touch.

FAQs and Key Information
   

Where & when does the church meet?

We hold a number of services across the parish:
 
We have a Communion service at St Peter and St Paul Great Missenden at 10am every Sunday. We also hold services at 8am and 6pm each Sunday.
 
Services at Ballinger are generally at 9.30am on the first Sunday of every month, and services at Little Hampden on the second and fourth Sundays at 11:30am with coffee at 11am.
 
Details of all our services can be found on our Services page.
   

What should I expect when I visit the church?

You will be welcomed by the sidespeople who will give you the books you’ll need. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have. There are no set seats, so please sit wherever you feel most comfortable. 
 
The service lasts for one hour and follows the order set out in the booklet.
 
Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the 10am service, where there is plenty of time to meet people and ask any questions you may have.

   
Are there any activities for my children?

We have two Junior Church groups that meet regularly. Head to our Children & Young People page to find out everything you need to know. 
 
We also have an unsupervised crêche area within the Church and your children are welcome to play during the service.
 
Children may stay with their parents at the start of the service, or sit with their friends as we begin our worship. Junior Church usually leaves our main service after we have started our worship with some singing.
   
 

Is there a dress code?

No! Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes.
 

Do I have to take communion?

It is completely up to you. God's table is open to all. You are welcome to come up for a blessing, or bring your children up for a blessing. Alternatively you can stay in your seat.

 

No, donating is entirely optional. We have a time of offering during each service when a plate is passed around for cash or contactless card donations. There is always a contactless card reader and cash box near the door to the church, or you can donate online. You’re very welcome in church whether you make a donation or not.   

   
Can I get married, Christen my children or have a funeral at the Church?

For more information on marriage, christenings and funerals at our Church please visit the Weddings & Christenings and Funerals pages of our website.
 

I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them.

Please feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have.