Church of St Mary, Stanwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary, Stanwell |
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 Church of St Mary, Stanwell
Location in Surrey
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| 51°27′23″N 0°28′48″W / 51.45635°N 0.47990°W | |
| Location | Lord Knyvett Close, Stanwell, Middlesex, TW19 9PF |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 11 August 1952 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Stanwell |
| Deanery | Spelthorne |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Middlesex |
| Episcopal area | Kensington Episcopal Area |
| Diocese | Diocese of London |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Stanwell, is a special Church of England building. It is located in the village of Stanwell, which is in Surrey, England. This church is very old, dating back to the 12th century. It is so important that it is a grade I listed building. This means it is protected because of its historical and architectural value.
The church has a mix of different building styles. You can see parts that are Norman and parts that are Gothic. It even has a tall spire that was added in the 14th century.
A Look Inside
Inside the Church of St Mary, you can find some interesting monuments. There is a beautiful memorial for Lord and Lady Knyvett. They were important people from a long time ago.
You can also see a memorial for Sir Charles Brisbane. He was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He fought in the American War of Independence. He also served with famous leaders like Lord Hood and Lord Nelson. His memorial is in the chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar.
Church History
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Stanwell has a long history. It was built in the 12th century, which means it is over 800 years old! Over time, different parts were added or changed. This is why it has both Norman and Gothic styles. The tall spire, which is a key feature, was built in the 14th century.
The church was officially recognized as a grade I listed building on August 11, 1952. This special status helps to make sure it is preserved for future generations.
What is a Parish?
A parish is like a local area that a church serves. The Stanwell parish is in the western part of the historic county of Middlesex. In 1930, this area was quite large, covering about 3,934 acres. That's a bit more than 6 square miles!
Close to the parish, you can find the town of Staines, the river Colne, and Hounslow Heath. A church was first given money to operate in Stanwell in 1204. By 1254, there was a vicarage, which is where the vicar (the priest) lives.
For a while, a place called Chertsey Abbey owned the right to choose the priest for the parish. This right is called an advowson. But in 1537, King Henry VIII took control of many church properties. This event was known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. So, the right to choose the priest for Stanwell parish went back to the Crown (the King).
The Church Today
Today, the Parish of Stanwell is part of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex. This is a larger church area within the Diocese of London.
The church follows the Anglo-Catholic tradition within the Church of England. This means they have some practices that are similar to the Roman Catholic Church. Because they do not agree with the ordination of women as priests, the parish has a special arrangement. They are under the alternative episcopal oversight of the Bishop of Fulham. Currently, this bishop is Jonathan Baker.
Images for kids
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From the west, the spire is visibly not vertical
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The church from the east side
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The lych gate
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Yew trees in the churchyard
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Florentine tapestry work around a St George's Cross kneeler
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Tomb of Lord Knyvett
