Church of St Mary, Edgeworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 26 November 1958 |
| Administration | |
| Benefice | Ermin West |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Mary is a very old church located in Edgeworth, a village in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This amazing building was first built way back in the 11th century, which means it's over 900 years old! Because it's so old and important, it's officially known as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most special historic buildings in England and is protected.
Contents
A Long History
The Church of St Mary started as a Saxon building. The Saxons were people who lived in England many centuries ago. Over hundreds of years, the church has been changed and made bigger several times.
How the Church Grew
In the 12th century, a part called the chancel was added. The chancel is the area around the altar where the clergy (like priests) sit. Later, in the 14th century, the tall tower was built. Imagine how much history these walls have seen!
Victorian Changes
During the Victorian era (the 1800s), many old churches were "restored." This means people tried to make them look new again. Sometimes, this involved removing older parts. At St Mary's, some of the original Romanesque designs inside the church were changed during this time.
Home to Bats
Interestingly, several types of bats have made their home in the Church of St Mary. This shows how old buildings can become important habitats for wildlife.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Mary is built from limestone, a type of rock, and has roofs made of stone slates. It has a main open area called the nave, the chancel (where the altar is), a south porch (a small entrance area), and the west tower.
Fun Details on the Tower
The tower has a sundial, which is like an old clock that tells time using the sun's shadow. You can also spot many gargoyles and grotesques on the tower. Gargoyles are stone carvings that often look like monsters and are used as water spouts. Grotesques are similar but don't spout water. They are just there for decoration and can be quite funny or scary!
Inside the Church
Most of the furniture inside the church, like the pews (benches), was added in the 19th century. However, there are some older pieces. You can find a font (a basin used for baptisms) and some of the ends of the old wooden benches that date back to the 15th century. There are also small pieces of stained glass from the 14th century, which would have been very colorful and beautiful.
