Brampton Old Church

Twice I have called at Brampton Old Church. A sign claims that a key is available at the nearby farm, but obtaining it is easier said than done. Nevertheless, one can admire it from without and eat a picnic in the shadow of its 800-year-old walls.

Curiously, it is built on the north-east corner of what was once a Roman fort, its churchyard covering much of the rest. Amidst the graves is the base of an ancient stone cross. Around a thousand years ago, someone decided that this was a good place to plant a cross from which the gospel could be preached. Shortly afterwards, the old stones from the fort or Hadrian’s wall were re-purposed to build a house of worship for Jesus Christ. How ironic: the mighty empire whose soldiers crucified Him and whose followers it burned, beheaded and turned to lion food, should have its own powerful fortresses turned over to His worship and honour.

Although the cross is now gone (courtesy of puritans rather than secularists) and the little chapel redundant and off-limits, Christ’s church continues still. Another, revived Roman empire shall again claim this land and vex God's folk, but it too shall fall, and even quicker than the first.

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Daniel 2:44, AV