Church of St Mary the Virgin, Horsell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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| St Mary's | |
St Mary the Virgin, Horsell
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 Church of St Mary the Virgin
Location in Surrey
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| 51°19′21″N 0°34′16″W / 51.3226°N 0.5711°W | |
| Location | Woking |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | St Mary the Virgin's website |
| History | |
| Founded | 12th-Century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | English Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Parish of Horsell |
| Diocese | Guildford |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, often called St Mary's, is a historic church in Horsell, a village near Woking in England. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This beautiful building is very old, with some parts dating back to the 12th century! It's also a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a really important historical site that needs to be protected. The current leader of the church is called the Vicar, and his name is Dmitry Lutsenko.
Contents
What Happens at St Mary's?
St Mary's Church is a busy place! On Sundays, people gather for three different services. These services are times for prayer, singing, and listening to readings from the Bible.
Special Services and Events
Around Christmas Eve, the church often holds special Christingle services. A Christingle service is a fun way to celebrate Jesus as the "Light of the World." Children often hold oranges decorated with candles and sweets.
The Church's Long History
St Mary's Church has stood for a very long time. Some of its oldest parts, like the west wall of the main part of the church (called the nave), were built in the middle of the 12th century. That's over 800 years ago!
Changes Over the Years
Like many old buildings, St Mary's has been changed and updated over the centuries. In the 1800s and early 1900s, during a time known as the Victorian era, many parts of the church were restored or added.
- In 1840, a special screen inside the church was removed.
- The chancel (the part of the church where the altar is) was replaced in 1890.
- At the same time, the nave (the main body of the church) and the south aisle (a side section) were made longer.
- New sections, like the north aisle and rooms for the clergy (called vestries), were added in 1909.
- A special area called the Holy Trinity Chapel was built in 1910.
- Finally, a baptistry, which is a place for baptisms, was added in 1921.
