All Saints Church, Darfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, Darfield |
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| 53°32′01″N 1°22′11″W / 53.5337°N 1.3697°W | |
| OS grid reference | SE 41880 04306 |
| Location | Darfield |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 14 October 1964 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Darfield |
| Deanery | Wath |
| Archdeaconry | Doncaster |
| Diocese | Diocese of Sheffield |
| Province | York |
The Church of All Saints is a very old church in the village of Darfield, England. It belongs to the Church of England and is part of the Diocese of Sheffield. This church building is considered very important. It is a Grade I listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural value.
The church was first built way back in the 11th century. That's over 900 years ago! More parts were added in the 14th and 15th centuries. The church has also been repaired and updated several times, in 1849 and 1905.
Many interesting things have happened here. A famous person named Ebenezer Elliot is buried in the churchyard. He worked hard to change unfair laws about food. The churchyard also has memorials for people who died in local mining accidents. These include the 1857 disaster at Lundhill Colliery and the 1886 disaster at Houghton Main Colliery. The memorial from 1886 was fixed up in 2011.
A special event called the 'Darfield Judgement' also happened here. Between 1892 and 1934, the church's leader was Canon Alfred Sorby. He went to court and won a case. The court decided that children who went to a church service on Ascension Day did not have to go to school.
Contents
History of All Saints' Church
All Saints' Church has a long and interesting history. It has stood in Darfield for centuries.
Building Through the Ages
The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. Over time, new sections were added. This shows how the church grew with the community. Later, in the 14th and 15th centuries, more parts were built. This changed the church's look. The church has also been carefully restored. These repairs helped keep the old building strong.
Important People and Events
The churchyard is a resting place for important people. Ebenezer Elliot was a writer and activist. He fought against the "Corn Laws." These laws made bread very expensive for poor people. His burial here connects the church to important social changes.
Remembering Mining Disasters
Mining was a big industry in this area. Sadly, there were many accidents. The churchyard has special monuments. These remember the miners who lost their lives. The 1857 Lundhill Colliery explosion was a terrible event. The 1886 Houghton Main Colliery disaster was another sad time. These memorials show the church's role in supporting the community during difficult times. The 1886 memorial was repaired in 2011. This shows how much the community cares.
The Darfield Judgement
Canon Alfred Sorby was the church's rector for many years. He was involved in a famous legal case. This case was about children and school. He argued that on Ascension Day, children should be allowed to attend church. They should not be forced to go to school that day. He won his case in the High Court of Justice. This decision became known as the 'Darfield Judgement'. It was an important moment for children's rights and religious freedom.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Yorkshire
- Listed buildings in Darfield, South Yorkshire
