Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth |
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St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Choral |
| Website | www.bridgnorthteamministry.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Mary Magdalene |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bridgnorth |
| Deanery | Bridgnorth |
| Archdeaconry | Ludlow |
| Diocese | Hereford |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, is a special church in the Church of England. You can find it on East Castle Street in Bridgnorth. This old building is listed as Grade II*, which means it's very important and protected.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Early Days
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene began as a royal chapel. It was built inside the royal castle at Bridgnorth. This meant it was a private church for the castle's royal family and staff.
How the Church Grew
The main parts of the church, like the nave (where people sit) and chancel (near the altar), were built around 1238. A north aisle, which is like an extra section, was added later. By the late 1400s, this private chapel also started serving as a regular parish church for the local community.
The group of priests who ran the church, called canons, stopped working there in 1548. This was part of a big change in England's churches at that time.
The Church Building You See Today
The church building we see now was designed by a famous engineer, Thomas Telford. It was built by John Rhodes and Michael Head between 1792 and 1795.
Unique Design Features
Most churches face east, but this one is different. It faces north and south! The church tower is 120 feet tall. It has a clock, eight bells, and a roof covered in shiny copper.
Remembering Heroes: The War Memorial
Inside the church, there is a special wooden memorial. It honors the people from the parish who died in the World Wars. It has a crucifix in the middle and two Latin sayings. One says "AMOR VINCIT," which means "Love conquers." The other is the town's motto: "FIDELITAS URBIS SALUS REGIS." This means "In the town's loyalty lies the safety of the King."
The Church Organ
The church has a wonderful organ. It's a "Father Willis" organ, which is a very famous type. This organ was bought from Clifton College in Bristol.
The Church Bells
The church has eight bells. The heaviest bell weighs just over 8 hundredweight (about 400 kilograms). These bells are usually rung twice a week. You can hear them on Wednesday evenings for practice and on Sunday mornings before the main service. Sometimes, they are also rung for weddings.
