Church of All Saints, Little Staughton facts for kids
The Church of All Saints is a very old and important church located in Little Staughton, a village in Bedfordshire, England. It's so special that it's a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered one of the most important historic buildings in the country. Most of the church was built in the 1400s, but some parts are even older! Over the years, it has seen many changes, including damage from a big religious change called the Reformation and even a lightning strike.
Contents
Discovering the Church's Past
How the Church Got Its Name
This church wasn't always called All Saints. It was first known as the Church of St Margaret. This name honored Margaret the Virgin, a brave person from long ago. In the 1800s, the church's name was changed to Church of All Saints. Even so, there's still a special small chapel inside dedicated to St Margaret, which was added in 1937.
Changes Through the Centuries
The church went through a tough time during the Reformation. This was a period when many religious practices changed. Because of these changes, many beautiful parts of the church, like its colorful stained glass windows and statues, were removed or damaged.
Later, in the 1800s, people worked to fix up the church. But during this time, some of the lead from the roof was unfortunately taken. In 1900, a powerful lightning bolt hit the church tower, damaging its tall spire. Luckily, the spire was fully repaired and looked new again by 1910.
A Special Historic Building
On July 13, 1964, the Church of All Saints officially became a Grade I listed building. This means it's recognized as a building of great historical and architectural importance. To celebrate the year 2000, special lights were installed. Now, these lights shine on the church for important events and on weekends, making it glow beautifully in the dark.
Exploring the Church Building
When Was It Built?
The Church of All Saints in Little Staughton was mostly built in the 1400s. However, if you look closely, you can find parts that are even older, from the 1200s and 1300s!
What It's Made Of
The church is mainly built from rough limestone rocks and brown cobblestones. These materials give it a strong, old look. Some of the more detailed parts, like around the windows and doors, are made from smoother, cut stones called ashlar. The chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, was built in the 1400s. Interestingly, it has a door that is even older, from the 1300s!
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Bedfordshire
