Church of St John the Evangelist, Waterbeach facts for kids
The Church of St John the Evangelist (also known as St John's Church) is a special old church in the village of Waterbeach, England. It's an Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England. This church is so important that it's listed as a Grade II* listed building, meaning it has a lot of historical and architectural value.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How Old is St John's Church?
St John's Church is very old! It was first built way back in the 12th century, which is over 800 years ago. Records show that priests were working here around the year 1160. In the early 1200s, a tower was added to the church, which already had small side sections called aisles. For a long time, the church was connected to a place called Barnwell Priory.
Changes Over the Years
Like many old buildings, the church needed repairs over time. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it wasn't in the best shape, and fewer people attended services. In 1821, the church's tower and spire (the pointy top part) fell down and had to be rebuilt.
Later, in 1848, the chancel (the part of the church where the altar is) was repaired and rebuilt. The church also had a big "Victorian restoration" in 1871 and 1878. This means it was carefully repaired and updated to look its best, following the style popular during the Victorian era.
A Special Event
In 2018, a unique event called "Waterbeach Thread[ed]" was held at the church. People used different clothes and fabrics to create art and displays. The event helped everyone think about important topics like how clothing affects our environment, how it relates to poverty, and how we buy things.
Today, St John's Church is part of the Diocese of Ely, which is a larger group of churches in the area.
Church Design and Features
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building is made from limestone, a type of stone, and has roofs made of lead and tiles. It has a chancel and three sections called bays in its aisle. The tower has a parapet (a low wall at the edge of the roof) and is supported by strong structures called buttresses.
Inside the tower, there are five bells. The largest bell, called the tenor bell, weighs about 7 hundredweight (which is about 350 kilograms!) and is tuned to the musical note G#.
Inside the Church
You'll find an electric pipe organ inside the church, which makes beautiful music. The pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) is made of a special stone called Caen stone and has colorful mosaics inlaid in it.
The Churchyard Memorial
Outside, in the churchyard, there's a stone cross. This cross is a special memorial to remember the people from Waterbeach who bravely lost their lives in World War I and World War II. The churchyard also has 25 war graves, which are the burial places of soldiers connected to the nearby RAF Waterbeach air base.
