Church of St Mark, Reading facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mark, Reading |
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| 51°27′16″N 0°59′54″W / 51.4544°N 0.9984°W | |
| OS grid reference | SU 696 733 |
| Location | Reading, Berkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Tradition | Anglo-Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 2007 |
| Architect(s) | Montague Wheeler |
| Architectural type | Parish church |
| Style | Arts and Crafts, Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1905 |
| Completed | 1906 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red brick, slate, tile, stone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Mark and All Saints |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
The Church of St Mark, Reading, is a special Church of England building. You can find it on Cranbury Road in Reading, Berkshire. It's part of a bigger church family called the parish of St. Mark and All Saints. This parish also includes All Saints' Church.
Contents
What Makes St Mark's Church Special?
This church building is quite old, dating back to 1904 and 1905. But the church community actually started even earlier, about 15 years before, as a "mission" to help people.
Who Designed St Mark's Church?
A talented architect named Montague Wheeler designed the church. He was from Scotland but worked in Reading. He made the church in a style called Arts and Crafts. This style focuses on handmade items and natural materials. The church also has some features of Gothic buildings, which are known for their tall, grand designs.
What Materials Were Used?
The church is mostly made of red bricks. It also has some stone and tiles for decoration. The roof is covered with slate, a type of rock.
Amazing Windows and Walls
Look closely at the windows! The beautiful stained glass windows on the western side were created by artists Joseph Nuttgens and Reginald Hallward. On the eastern side, there's an even bigger window from 1905–1906 by Charles Eamer Kempe.
You might also notice some special supports on the outside called flying buttresses. These help hold up the walls. On one corner, there's an interesting eight-sided tower with stairs inside.
The Church Organ
Inside the church, there's a large musical instrument called a church organ. It was put in place in 1912 by a company called William Hill & Sons. The organ's special area, called a loft, is at the west end of the building. It's painted and has decorative panels.
