Church of St John the Evangelist, Waterbeach facts for kids
The Church of St John the Evangelist is a very old and important church in the village of Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, England. People often call it St John's Church. It's a special building because it's listed as a grade II* listed building, which means it's historically important. It belongs to the Anglican church, which is a Christian church in England.
A Look Back in Time
This church has been around for a very long time! It was first built in the 1100s, which is the 12th century. Records show that priests were working here as early as 1160. In the early 1200s, a tall tower was added to the church.
For many years, the church was connected to Barnwell Priory, which was a type of monastery. This connection lasted until the time when many monasteries were closed down in England.
Over the 1600s and 1700s, the church building became a bit run down. Fewer people also attended services. In 1821, the old tower and its spire fell down and had to be replaced.
The church was repaired and rebuilt in parts during the 1800s. The chancel, which is the area around the altar, was restored in 1848. More big repairs and updates happened in 1871 and 1878. These were part of a common trend called "Victorian restoration," where old churches were updated.
In 2018, a special event called "Waterbeach Thread[ed]" was held at the church. It used different clothes and fabrics to show how clothing affects the environment, church life, and how we buy things. The church is part of the Diocese of Ely, which is a larger church area.
What the Church Looks Like
The church building is made from limestone, a type of stone. Its roofs are covered with lead and tiles. It has a chancel and three sections called bays, which make up the main part of the church.
The tower has a flat top called a parapet. It is held up by strong supports called buttresses. Inside the tower, there are five bells. The largest bell, called the tenor bell, weighs about 700 pounds and is tuned to G#.
Inside the church, you'll find an electric pipe organ. The pulpit, which is where the priest gives sermons, is made of a special stone called Caen stone. It has beautiful mosaic patterns inlaid into it.
Outside in the churchyard, there is a stone cross. This cross is a memorial to the people from Waterbeach who died in World War I and World War II. The churchyard also has 25 war graves. These graves are for soldiers connected to the nearby RAF Waterbeach, which was a Royal Air Force station.
