Therfield
Therfield is both a small
village of approximately 4,761 acres (19 km²) and a parish (originally in
Odsey Hundred and
Royston Union) which sits upon the chalk range, three miles southwest of
Royston, and six miles (10 km) northeast of
Baldock) and within the
English county of
Hertfordshire.
Ancient history
The name
Therfield is a variation of
Tharfield and anciently
Thurreweld. It was so named after the field of the god
Thur and the hill upon which Therfield is seated.
Today
Today
Therfield is known as a very small village that is locally famous for its church, chapel and pub. The Nature Reserve of
Therfield Heath lies a mile to the north of the village. From here on a clear day it is possible to see the Cathedral of Ely, over twenty miles to the north.
Church of St. Mary the Virgin
In
Therfield the
Church of St Mary the Virgin has stood the test of time. The most recent version was completed in
1878 and it replaced the church that had existed since the
13th Century which fell into such disrepair that it was in danger of collapsing. When it was replaced, the windows, pulpit and font were removed from the old church and built into the new structure. The tower contains 6 bells dating from
1597,
1608,
1626,
1656,
1689 with the most recent from
1707. For years these bells were not used and worship services were marked by the ringing of a bell dated
1862 that hung from a tree in a nearby field. The church register dates from the year
1538.
Therfield Chapel
Therfield Chapel was established as a congregation of Protestant dissenters (the "Independents") in 1836. The current Chapel was built subsequently, in 1854, and the Church eventually became known as Therfield Congregational Church, being affiliated to the Congregational Union who acted as trustees for the Church property. When in 1966 the Congregational Union was replaced by a body which espoused more liberal views, the Chapel seceded and became affiliated first to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), and then to the Evangelical Fellowship of Congreagational Churches (EFCC).In 1965, Allon Taffs was ordained as Pastor, after serving the church as Secretary/informal leader for some 10 years before. He remained until May 1993.After a period of interregnum, during which time the church was cared for and led by the elders and deacons, the Rev Mark Kingston was appointed as Pastor in August 1997. He served the church until he resigned in July 2002.Andrew Carter was appointed as Pastor in February 2006.
Home of the Haggers
In recent years, genealogists, primarily led by Martin Hagger, have discovered that the area of Therfield was home to various Hagger or Haggar (also Haga, Hagar, Hager, Haggarjudd, Haggaer, Haggers, Haggerwood, Haggor) families who eventually migrated all over England and much of the world. This research has resulted in annual meetings of the
Hagg*r One Name Study Project led by Peter Hagger which is attempting to trace this worldwide family history, beginning with its roots in Therfield. The open meetings usually take place at
The Fox & Duck public house.
*
History and pictures of Therfield.*
Hagg*r One Name Study Project*
Hagger Genealogy Library
