St Andrew & St Peter

About the Church of St Andrew & St Peter, Longham

Longham is a small village mentioned in the Doomsday records as being under the Manor of Mileham. The Church is about one mile from the village and is flanked by the Rectory to the south and to the north a Georgian Hall built by the first Earl of Leicester. The first rector was John de Castleacre appointed in 1308. The church was constructed in 16th century but the chancel was completely rebuilt in 1867. When the chancel was reroofed in 2005 the impression of the workman’s hands could be clearly seen in concrete at the top of the brickwork.

In the southeast corner of the nave is a staircase which was the entrance to the Rood Loft; it is likely that the Loft cut across the top of the screen.

The village population is 230. It is a mixed community but there is a predominance of retired families with many living on their own. Longham Village no longer has its own school; children are bussed to primary schools in Beeston and Litcham and to the high school in Litcham.

The churchyard is well maintained; the Church receives an annual grant from the Parish Council to offset the cost of churchyard maintenance. Longham Churchyard is a Commonwealth War Grave, where George Kirk who died on 29th September 2018, age 18 is buried.

The Church is participating in a Diocesan initiative WiSpire. A transmitter is fitted to our Church tower and provides both broadband at 8 plus megabytes and voice to the village. The Church receives rental of some £300 per annum.