St Andrew and St Patrick in Elveden, Suffolk is a remarkable building with a fascinating history. The originally humble church was transformed in the mid-19th century by Maharaja Prince Duleep Singh, who had been exiled to England after the British took control of the Punjab in India. He became a Christian and was a favourite of Queen Victoria, spending much of his life hunting on the Elveden Estate, which he improved greatly.
After his mother’s death in 1863, he returned to the Punjab to marry and try to regain control of his homeland, but was arrested by the British before reaching India. He spent much of his later life attempting to recruit Russian support for a Sikh uprising, but ultimately failed. He died in Paris in 1893 and was buried in a simple grave in the Elveden churchyard.
Following the death of the Maharaja, his children all died without heirs and the estate was purchased by the Guinness brewing family. In the early 20th century, William Caroe was appointed to build a new church beside the old, creating a structure that blends Art Nouveau Gothic and Suffolk-style architecture. The new church was rebenched, with the old church forming the south aisle of the new space.
Today, St Andrew and St Patrick is an impressive and unique structure, worth a visit for both its architectural beauty and its fascinating history.
Posted by Simon Knott on 2016-08-25 11:17:46