kids encyclopedia robot

Church of St Mary, Temple Guiting facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Church of St Mary
St Marys church, Temple Guiting (geograph 3336360).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 25 August 1960
Administration
Benefice The Guitings, Cutsdean, Farmcote, Upper Slaughter
Diocese Gloucester
Province Canterbury

The Church of St Mary is an old church located in Temple Guiting, a village in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. It was first built way back in the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! This church is considered a very important historical building and is a Grade I listed building. This means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.

History of St Mary's Church

Building Through the Centuries

The Church of St Mary was originally built in the 1100s. Over the years, different parts of the church were updated and rebuilt. A large part of it was rebuilt in the 16th century.

The church's tower, which holds the bells, was rebuilt in the 17th century. Later, in 1884, a porch was added to the entrance. The church also had major repairs and updates done between 1743 and 1785.

Part of a Larger Church Family

The Church of St Mary is part of a group of churches in the area. This group includes churches from The Guitings, Cutsdean, Farmcote, and Upper Slaughter. All these churches are part of the Diocese of Gloucester, which is a larger church area within the Church of England.

Architecture and Features

What the Church is Made Of

The Church of St Mary is built from limestone, a type of rock often found in the Cotswolds. Its roof is made of stone slates, which are flat pieces of stone used like tiles.

The church has several main parts:

  • A nave, which is the main area where people sit.
  • A transept, which is like arms extending from the sides, making the church look a bit like a cross from above.
  • A chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar.
  • A west tower, where the bells are.

Special Details and Art

The tower has a clock on its north side that was put there in 1870. On the outside of the chancel, you can see cool stone carvings called gargoyles. These are often shaped like strange creatures and were originally used to drain rainwater away from the building.

Inside the church, above the north door, there is a wooden panel with the Ten Commandments written on it. There is also a special stone tablet made of alabaster that remembers the people from the village who bravely served in World War I.

Beautiful Stained Glass

The church has some beautiful stained glass windows that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. These old windows show amazing craftsmanship. However, some of the glass panels were sold in 1809. You can now find these historic pieces in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

There is also a newer, tall, narrow window called a lancet window. This window has stained glass that remembers Jack Butterworth, Baron Butterworth, a notable person connected to the area.

kids search engine
Church of St Mary, Temple Guiting Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.