Church of St Mary Magdalene, North Ockendon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary Magdalene |
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St Mary Magdalene Church, North Ockendon
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| Denomination | Church of England (Anglican) |
| Website | https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6499/ |
| Administration | |
| Parish | The Parish of North Ockendon |
| Deanery | Havering |
| Archdeaconry | Barking |
| Diocese | Chelmsford |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary Magdalene Church is a special old building in North Ockendon, Greater London, England. It's a Church of England church, which means it's part of the main Christian church in England. This church is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, a friend of Jesus. It's also a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How Old is the Church?
Most of St Mary Magdalene Church was built a very long time ago, in the 1300s (the fourteenth century). It was built on the same spot where an even older church once stood. The tall tower you see today was added later, in the 1400s (the fifteenth century).
A Science Experiment in the Tower
The church tower was once used for an important science experiment! In the early 1700s, a clever person named Reverend William Derham used the tower to help measure the speed of sound for the very first time accurately.
Restoring the Church
Many years later, in 1858, the church got a big makeover. A person named Richard Armstrong led this restoration work. A rich local landowner, Richard Benyon of Cranham Hall, paid for all the improvements. More recently, a new part was added to the north side of the church in 2003.
Inside the Church
Interesting Features
When you step inside, you'll see many interesting things. The pulpit, where sermons are given, looks like it's from the time of Queen Elizabeth I. However, it was most likely made in the 1600s. The special bowl used for baptisms and the royal arms (a symbol of the king or queen) were both made in 1842.
The Altar and Art
Behind the altar, there's a beautiful decorated screen called a reredos. It shows a picture of the Last Supper, which is a famous scene from the Bible. This artwork was added in 1879.
Family Memorials
You'll find many monuments inside the church. Most of these are connected to the Poyntz family, who were important people in the local area. There are also special metal plaques called monumental brasses, like one for a former vicar, Edward Foley Evans, who passed away in 1933.
The Poyntz Family Tomb
The most impressive monument is a large stone statue of Sir Gabriel Poyntz (who lived from 1538 to 1608) and his wife, Etheldreda. They are shown lying down on a marble tomb. Above them is a wooden canopy, decorated with pictures of the sun, moon, clouds, and stars. Gabriel Poyntz also placed smaller memorials around the church to remember other members of his family, including his father Thomas Poyntz and his aunt and uncle, John and Anne Poyntz.
Music and Bells
The Church Organ
The church has a musical instrument called an organ. It's a special type of organ with two keyboards, made by a company called Brindley & Foster. It's looked after by Martin M Cross builders.
The Church Bells
In the church tower, there are 6 bells that can be rung together. They are arranged to play a musical scale, like a descending G major scale. The heaviest bell, called the Tenor, weighs about 9 and a half hundredweight (which is about 480 kilograms!). The bells are rung from the ground floor, and they are hung in a unique way, turning in an anticlockwise direction.
The Churchyard
Outside the church, in the churchyard, you'll find the graves of people who have passed away. This includes war graves for three soldiers from the British Army who died during World War I. There is also an old well in the churchyard, which some people believe is connected to Saint Cedd, a very early Christian saint.
