Church of St Mary the Virgin, Meysey Hampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's, Meysey Hampton |
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| OS grid reference | SP 11706 00060 |
| Location | Meysey Hampton, Gloucestershire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Virgin Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Fairford |
| Archdeaconry | Cheltenham |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is an old and important church in Meysey Hampton, a village in Gloucestershire, England. It's part of the Church of England and is a special building known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a really important historical place!
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
This church was built a long, long time ago in the 13th century. It was officially opened, or consecrated, in 1269. People think the famous Knights Templar might have helped pay for it.
Later, in the 14th century, the church was made bigger. Some changes were also made to the chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is. Much later, between 1872 and 1874, the church was restored. This means it was repaired and updated by an architect named James Brooks.
Since 1958, St Mary's Church has been a Grade II* listed building. This is a special title given to buildings that are very important and have a lot of historical interest.
Exploring the Church's Design
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is built from rough stone, called rubble masonry, and has roofs made of flat stones, called slate. Most of the church shows an early style of English Gothic architecture. Later parts show a more decorative Gothic style.
Outside the Church
The church has a unique shape called cruciform, which means it looks like a cross from above. It has a central tower right in the middle. The nave (the main part where people sit) and the chancel (where the altar is) are almost the same length. There are also transepts, which are the parts that stick out on the north and south sides, forming the arms of the cross shape.
You'll find a porch in the middle of the south wall, which is like an entrance area. The square tower in the center has one level. It has two tall, narrow windows, called lancet arches, on each side for the bells. The top of the tower has a crenellated parapet, which looks like the top of a castle wall. It also has gargoyles, which are carved stone figures that act as water spouts.
The nave and transepts also have lancet windows, which are tall and narrow. The chancel has three windows on the south side, each with two sections. Some windows have a trefoil shape at the top, like a three-leaf clover. Others have an ogee shape, which is a curve that looks like an 'S'. The large east window has three sections with beautiful geometric tracery (stone patterns). It also has a border decorated with ballflowers, which are small, round carvings.
Inside the Church
Inside, the roof has five bays, which are sections of the roof. It has original curved wooden supports called bracing that connect to the main beams, known as tie beams. Where the nave, chancel, and transepts meet, called the crossing, there are simple, matching arches.
You can see a lectern (a stand for reading) from the Jacobean period (early 1600s). It has an inscription that says "Christian Jacketts, 1622". There's also a 17th-century monument dedicated to Dr. James Vaulx. It even includes a portrait of him with his wives. Some old stained glass from the church was shown at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester in 2006.
The Churchyard
Outside the church, about 15 feet to the south, there are five old monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries. These are also listed as Grade II buildings, meaning they are historically important.
On the north side of the church, you'll find a war grave. It belongs to a gunner (a type of soldier) from the Royal Field Artillery who fought in World War I.
Church Connections
St Mary's Church in Meysey Hampton has a long history of being connected to Marston Meysey. Marston Meysey is a village in Wiltshire, but it's also part of the same church area, or diocese, as Meysey Hampton. A small chapel was built in Marston Meysey in the 13th century. For some time, this chapel acted like its own parish church.
In the late 1800s, William Rankin, who was the rector (main priest) of Meysey Hampton, also became the curate (assistant priest) for Marston Meysey. This brought the two church areas together. He even helped build a new church, St James', in Marston Meysey.
Today, St Mary's is part of a larger group of churches called the South Cotswolds Team Ministry. It works together with 21 other churches in the area.
