Finedon has about five fine examples of the Green Man carved in stone.  The Green Man has never been fully explained, all we know is that it is probably Celtic in origin and pre-dates Christianity into the Pagan period. At the coming of Christianity the Green Man was adopted by the Church and can be seen throughout Europe and North Africa. The finest example today can be seen in the South of France, Portugal, Spain, and of course Finedon!  

These figures are called Green Men not because of their colour, but because of the green foliage coming out of the mouth.  One of many theories is that the foliage represents and reminds us of the words of Jesus, “I am the Vine, you are the branches”

On the Ferial Season of the Church when the altars and vestments are green, reminding us that we are continually growing in Christ. These two unusual examples of the Green Man at Finedon are carved not in stone but wood and they can be seen in the Nave Ceiling just above the Nave Altar.

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Image 6 The Strainer

This impressive arch was created to take the weight of the walls of this fine 15th century building. Another example of this type of arch can be found at St. Mary’s Rushden a few miles from Finedon. And of course there is the even more spectacular example at Wells Cathedral.

Image 7The Monk’s Cell c 1977           

This room over the porch now houses the library presented by Sir John English Dolben in 1788. There are 885 volumes in all, Mainly of a theological nature and dating from the C17th., . The parish registers and other records ate also housed here in a recently constructed wall-safe. Before the Reformation, it is possible that a chantry-priest )who may also have been a monk) lived in this room. 

Image 8The Organ looking west.

This magnificent organ stands in the West Gallery of the church, in a three tower case. This fine instrument was built by Christopher Schrider in 1717 an came to Finedon as a gift from one of the Royal Chapels (possibly Windsor) It was rebuilt by G. M. Holdich in 1872. On the center pipe can be seen the Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Anne.