Church of St Mary the Virgin, Syde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 26 November 1958 |
| Administration | |
| Benefice | Ermin West |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a beautiful old church located in Syde, a small village in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. This church was built a very long time ago, in the early 1100s! It's so special that it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a really important historical site.
Contents
History of the Church
Building on Ancient Foundations
This church was built by the Normans, who came to England in 1066. They built it right on top of where an even older Saxon church used to be. Some parts of the old Saxon church were even used in the new Norman building. For example, the stone above the south doorway is from the Saxon times.
Changes Over Time
Later, in the 1300s, a special tower was added to the church. This tower has a unique "saddleback" roof, which looks like a saddle. In 1850, the chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, was repaired and made new again.
Church Connections
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is part of a larger group of churches called the Ermin West benefice. This group is part of the Diocese of Gloucester, which is a big area managed by a bishop in the Church of England.
Church Architecture and Features
Building Materials and Design
The church is made from strong limestone rock. Its roofs are covered with flat stone tiles, which is a common style in the Cotswolds. The church has several main parts:
- The nave, which is the main area where people sit.
- The chancel, where the altar is located.
- A porch, which is an entrance area.
- A vestry, a room used by the clergy.
- A tall tower on the west side.
The nave has a special type of roof called a "crown post" roof. This means there are upright posts that support the roof timbers, making it very strong and interesting to look at.
The Tower and Its Bells
The tower has three levels and its unique saddleback roof. Inside the tower are three bells. Two of these bells are very old, dating back to the 1300s! The third bell was made much later, in 1771, by a famous bell-making family called Rudhall of Gloucester.
Historic Furnishings
Inside the church, you can see a font from the 1400s. This is a large stone basin used for baptisms. It sits on a base with five flat, angled sides. The church also still has its original "box pews" from the 1700s. These are like small wooden boxes where families used to sit during services. You can also find some beautiful stained glass windows from the 1400s. One of these windows shows a picture of James the Great, an important saint.
