Church of St Mary and St Thomas, Knebworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary and St Thomas, Knebworth |
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The northern side of the church looking towards the tower
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| Location | Knebworth Park, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6PY |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 27 May 1968 |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Knebworth |
| Deanery | Stevenage |
| Archdeaconry | Hertford |
| Diocese | St Albans |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Mary and St Thomas is an old Church of England church in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England. This church was built a very long time ago, in the 1100s! It is also a special building, protected as a grade I listed site. This means it's considered very important for its history and architecture.
Contents
History of the Church
Where the Church is Built
The Church of St Mary and St Thomas sits in a quiet churchyard. This area is surrounded by the beautiful parkland of Knebworth House. Many old churches from the Norman times (around 1066-1154) were built on hills, just like this one.
Long ago, there was a small village near the church. This village was probably abandoned around the year 1300. This happened when the large park around Knebworth House was created.
A New Church for Knebworth
In 1914, people started building a new church called St Martin's. This new church was built to serve the growing population in the main part of Knebworth. However, the Church of St Mary and St Thomas is still used today for services.
Church Architecture
Outside the Church
A famous expert on buildings, Nikolaus Pevsner, once said the outside of the church wasn't very special. But the most noticeable part is its tall tower. This tower was built in the 1400s. On top of the tower is a short, pointed roof called a "Hertfordshire spike". This type of roof is common in this part of England.
Inside the Church
When you go inside, one interesting feature is the Norman chancel arch. This is an archway that separates the main part of the church from the chancel, where the altar is. It shows how old parts of the church truly are.
Memorials and Tombs
Lytton Family Chapel
The church has special memorials for the Lytton family. This family used to own Knebworth House. For a long time, the Lytton family used a special chapel in the church for burials. This chapel is on the north side of the church. It was rebuilt around 1710. Inside, you can see three beautiful monuments dedicated to members of the Lytton family. Later, the family built a separate Lytton Mausoleum in Knebworth Park for burials.
Churchyard Graves
The churchyard also has several war graves. These are places where soldiers who died in wars are buried. There is also a special tomb designed by a famous architect named Edwin Lutyens.
Protecting the Church
Listed Building Status
On May 27, 1968, the Church of St Mary and St Thomas was officially named a grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England. It means the church is very important and must be kept safe for the future.
Conservation Area
The church is also part of the Old Knebworth Conservation Area. This is a special area where rules help protect the historic look and feel of the place.
The Church Today
The Church of St Mary and St Thomas still holds church services. It uses the Book of Common Prayer, which is a traditional book of services for the Church of England. The church is part of the local parish of Knebworth. It belongs to the Archdeaconry of Hertford within the Diocese of St Albans.
See also
