Church of St Mary Major, Exeter facts for kids
The Church of St Mary Major, also known as Exeter Minster, was a very old church in the city of Exeter, Devon. It was first built around the 7th century, long before the first Exeter Cathedral. The church was rebuilt many times over the centuries. Sadly, it was finally taken down in 1971. Today, the spot where it stood is a grassy area right next to Exeter Cathedral.
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A Look Back: The Church's Story
From Roman Baths to a Saxon Church
The very first building found on this spot was a Roman bath-house. It was built way back in 60–65 AD. Later, in the 7th century, the Saxons built a monastery or "minster" on top of the old Roman baths. A famous saint, Saint Boniface, who was born around 675 AD, studied at this Exeter Minster in 680. At that time, the monastery was called Escancastre or Examchester.
Rebuilding After Attacks
Around 930 AD, the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelstan helped rebuild the minster. But in 1003, Viking raiders burned it down. King Canute then rebuilt it again in 1018. In 1050, the main church office for the area, called the See of Crediton, moved its base to Exeter Minster. This happened with permission from King Edward the Confessor, and it led to the start of the See of Exeter.
Becoming a Parish Church
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, a new cathedral was started in 1114 by Bishop William Warelwast. This new cathedral was built right next to Exeter Minster, where Exeter Cathedral stands today. The new cathedral was finished around 1220. Once it was ready, the bishop moved out of the minster. The minster then became a regular parish church, dedicated to Saint Mary. The word "Major" in its name likely meant it was a very important church, much like the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Final Demolitions
In 1865, the church was taken down to build a larger one. This new, bigger church was needed because the city's population had grown. The new building was opened in 1867. This church managed to avoid being bombed during World War II, which caused a lot of damage in Exeter. However, by 1971, fewer people were attending services there, so it was finally demolished. After the church was removed, workers found several Saxon graves, along with the old foundations of the Roman bath-house and the Saxon Minster. Today, the site is a flat, grassy area.
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