Where exact dates are known, these are given on the timeline headers, otherwise we have used “January 1st in the year X” to represent “sometime in year X” or a nearby known date. Where events took place over or within a period of several years, we have listed the year in which the events started. The finer detail, where known, is included in the text, and this should help clarify.

The “Read More” links in the summaries open short articles with more information. These open in new web tabs so you can easily return to your place in the timeline.

This is a work in progress – we will add more as time allows.

We are hugely indebted to Amber Dunstan for her research and hope you enjoy reading about the people involved with Hunsdon and its church over the years…

Our Story

1623
October 26
The Fatal Vespers

Tragically, 95 people died when the floor collapsed during a sermon at Hunsdon House – NOT the Hunsdon House adjacent to the church, but Hunsdon House, Blackfriars in London, which was the official residence of the French Ambassador (it had previously been the London residence of Baron Hunsdon).

1661
January 1
Prosecutions for Not Attending Church

In 1661, Revd Philip Elliot was removed as Rector of Hunsdon Church because his views did not conform to those of the Church of England. Over the next five years, 25 local people were prosecuted for not attending church.

1666
January 1
Rector Reinstated

Sacked Rector, Philip Elliot was reinstated in 1666.

1759
January 1
Nicholson Calvert

Nicholson Calvert, Member of Parliament for the Borough of Tewkesbury from 1754-1774, inherited Hunsdon House (from his grandfather, Felix).

1805
January 1
Hunsdon House Rebuilt

After Nicholson Calvert’s death, his wife, Rebecca, set about rebuilding the house to make it a Georgian Mansion.

1814
January 1
Sunday School

Mrs Rebecca Calvert, wife of the late Nicholson Calvert, opened a Sunday School which was attended by between 80 and 90 poor children.

1831
January 1
William Calvert

William Calvert was Rector of Hunsdon for 55 years.  He died in 1831.

1840
January 1
New Rectory Built

The house now called the Old Rectory was built as a new Rectory in 1840.

1880
January 1
A New Name

In or just before 1880, the Church, having been known only as Hunsdon Church for many years was dedicated to St Dunstan by Revd Spencer Nairne, who was Rector from 1862 to 1880.  It has been suggested he believed (without much evidence) that it had previously been dedicated in this…Read More

1941
January 1
Wartime Adjustments

In 1941, a Night-Fighter Station was built in Hunsdon.  The Station Commander was Group Captain Peter Townsend, known for his love-affair with Princess Margaret.  The Rectory was commandeered by the RAF as a base of operations.