Early Origins
In the Doomsday Survey it is noted that Hardwin (de Scalers) had in Shelford 2½ hides and 9 acres, and a church which in 1066 had been the demesne of Ely Abbey. The Victoria History (of Cambridgeshire) mentions that the church at Shelford, originally belonging to the monks at Ely, had been seized by Hardwin around 1086, and that this was probably Little Shelford church. Further evidence of a church being in existence at this time can be found in the discovery of several stone coffin lids, of varying designs. in the restoration in 1878. These are reputed to be of Saxon origin and some of them can still be seen built into the west wall of the side chapel, and also into the wall or the south porch. In an article by Dr Cobbett of Cambridge. mentioned in the Cambridge Chronicle in 1931, he suggests that these grave covers may be dated between 970 and 1066. The Norman influence is also apparent in that there remains today the plain Norman door on the north side of the Nave, once filled up, but re-opened in 2004, and a small Norman window set very deeply in the thick wall also on the north side of the Nave. This was originally a plain window and it would appear that a new window was installed in 1894. Hence it can be assumed that there was a church on the present site at least quite early in the 12th. century, and possibly earlier. and that some parts of the church building are at least 900 years old.
The Church Today
Exterior: In the restoration work over the centuries, many alterations have been made. Viewed from the outside it can be seen to be largely built of cobble and flint facings. with stone finishings to the corners, plinths, door and window surrounds, and with pitched tiled roofs over the Nave and Chancel. The west tower is embattled with a needle spire and is covered with lead; some rendering to the facings has been undertaken. The side chapel is partly made of brick and was added early in the 15th. century. It is attributed to the successors of Sir John de Frevi1le (d. 1312) and like the tower is also embattled but is covered with copper sheeting. The south porch was rebuilt in 1878. The lean-to vestry on the north side of the church was probably added in the 15th. century.
Interior: Viewed from the inside the church owes much to the restoration work of 1854 and 1878 when concerted efforts were made to offset the ravages of the past. Earlier work had been undertaken as it is recorded that by the mid-15th. century the Nave and tower needed to be partly rebuilt and new windows put in the Chancel. In 1718 part of the side chapel was re-built, and later, around 1760, the Chancel, which had become much dilapidated, also had to be re-built. In 1854, a new larger Chancel arch was erected to replace the smaller one and the two, much smaller, side arches. However, by 1878, it appears that the church had again become very dilapidated and to all accounts restoration work was needed of monumental proportions. The Chancel received most of the attention where the old walls were taken down and a new structure erected on the original foundations. New roofs, similar in design to the old ones, were placed over the Chancel and Nave and then covered in old tiles. The old pews were taken away and replaced by new ones in oak; other woodwork was renewed. In all, the church was once again a fitting memorial to its earlier benefactors, and was re-opened by the Bishop of Ely on 24th. April 1879.
The Tower and Bells
In the mid-16th. century it is recorded that there were three bells in the belfry. At the beginning of the 17th. century the number of bells was increased as a notable addition was made in 1612. The 3rd. Earl of Southampton had his name inscribed on this bell 'HENRIE WRYESLE, EARLE OF SOVTHHAMPTON' - his correct name was Henry Wriothesley! Further recastings and additions were made about a hundred years later. Around 1884 an English oak bell frame was installed and the bells re-hung. Finally, six bells were hung in the tower in 1961. In 1974 the ringing chamber was raised from the floor of the tower. In 1992, the Baptistry was converted to a Prayer Room by removing the existing stairway to the ringing chamber and building a Minstrel's Gallery with a door directly into the ringing chamber, together with the installation of spiral wooden stairs and a new glazed screen with folding doors. The whole church was carpeted. All of this transformation was done by means of the bequest of the late Decima Church in memory of Dr Joe Church.
The Font
The font which stands at the west end of the Nave (now enclosed in the Prayer Room) is plain, octagonal in shape with five shafts, and probably dates from the early 14th. century.
The Nave
The wagon roof with the boards divided into panels is a copy of the old one which at one time was painted. There are several stained glass memorial windows to be seen today. The south window has the Wale Crest and the text: Micah 6:8 “..... to love mercy, to walk humbly …”
On the north side at the west end is a window with the St. Matthew text: "He is not here: He is Risen.” Further along is the 'Norman window' and both are in memory of the Rev. H. J. Wale. In the corner above the Wale pews is the 'Wale Window' in memory)' of Fanny Wale. There are several plaques in memory of members of the Wale family 10 be seen on the north wall.
The Pulpit
The carved oak pulpit probably dates from the early 17th. century, as the canopy bears the date 1633.
Side Chapel (or Chantry)
An oak parclose screen forms a division between the Nave and the side chapel. This is a small Perpendicular style chapel, slightly raised above the level of the Nave, with two Perpendicular style windows. It has two niches, one of which contains an alabaster figure originally found buried on the south side of tile Chancel. Two brasses on the floor commemorate most probably Robert de Freville (d. 1393) and his wife Claricia (d. 1399); and their son Thomas de Freville (d. 1405) and his wife Margaret (d. 1410). It is likely that the latter was instrumental in aiding the erection of the side chapel. There are various memorials on the west wall, including one of the incumbents, the Rev. Samuel Ingle (d. 1794).
Chancel
Perhaps the most striking feature is the Victorian east window of the Crucifixion which is to the memory of James Edmund Law. The white Italian marble cross under this window has superimposed upon it a wooden one of modem design. In the north-east corner are two arches with decorative mouldings. The more elaborate one contains the recumbent effigy of Sir John de Freville. and the inscription above in Lombardic characters can be roughly translated, “Here lies Sir John Frevil Lord of this village, you who pass of your charity pray for his soul:' The other arch, probably meant for a tomb. is the entrance to the vestry. The backs of the choir stalls are painted in the de Freville livery colours depicting the family arms. "Gules, three crescents ermine".
Later Restoration
During the period from 1930 to the present day many improvements have been made to the church. With electric lighting and heating the days of a dimly lit, sometimes smokey, Nave have long since gone. With the reconstructed organ, which incorporated the console, and the pipe case being removed to the opposite side of the Chancel, the music of the church has been much enhanced. Additionally, the public address system has made the acoustic problems of a large, high building much more acceptable (further modernised in 2008 to encompass more modern music and to provide a better, more inclusive experience for the hard of hearing).
The Churchyard
A few ancient headstones still remain in the older parts of the churchyard. The cross in the south-east portion of the churchyard once stood outside at the junction of Whittlesford Road. During the restoration of 1878 the cross, having fallen into disrepair, was re-assembled and placed on its present site. The top part was replaced, the original piece of the shaft having been made into a sundial for the Wale family garden.
Rectors
Early records do not appear to exist and the much-researched list compiled by the late Dr Hugh Plommer is by far the best available. The framed list can be seen hanging on the west wall of the Nave near the Church door (and also now a new list opposite, next to the door in the north side of the Nave leading to the new extension).
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