Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tetbury 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	21 March 1985
Administration
Diocese	Gloucester
Province	Canterbury

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a special church in Tetbury, a town in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. It is a parish church, which means it serves the local community. The church was built in 1781, but it used some parts from an even older church that was there before. It is considered a very important building and is listed as a Grade I listed building. This means it has special historical and architectural value.

History of the Church

How Old Is the Church Site?

People have worshipped on this spot for a very long time. There has been a church here since the 7th century, which is over 1300 years ago! Some historians even think it might have been the site of an old Saxon monastery. A monastery is a place where monks live and pray.

Building the Current Church

The church you see today was designed by an architect named Francis Hiorne. It opened its doors in 1781. This new building replaced a much older church from the Middle Ages, which was taken down in 1777. The cost to build this new church was quite a lot of money back then.

The Tower and Bells

The tall tower and spire of the previous church, which were built in the 14th century, were kept for a while. However, they were rebuilt in 1891 using the same stones from the original tower. This helped keep the church's historical look.

Architecture and Design

What Does the Church Look Like?

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is built from stone in a style called Gothic Revival. This style tries to look like the grand churches built in the Middle Ages. The roof is made of slate and Cotswold stone, and it has a special edge called an embattled parapet, which looks like the top of a castle wall.

The church is a hall church with seven sections, called bays. It has a main area called the nave, a special area near the altar called the chancel, and side sections called aisles.

The Tall Tower and Its Bells

The church's tower is very tall, standing about 57 meters (187 feet) high. It holds a set of eight bells. Most of these bells were made in 1722 by a famous bell-making company called Rudhall of Gloucester.

Inside the Church

Inside, you can find some interesting features. The church has special box pews, which are like enclosed seating areas. You get to these pews from a passageway that goes around the church, not from the main aisle in the middle.

The beautiful stained glass windows were created by well-known artists like Clayton and Bell and William Wailes. Two large, fancy chandeliers (hanging lights) from 1781 still hang above the nave, lighting up the main part of the church.

Special Memorials

You can also find a roll of honor inside the church. This is a list that remembers the people from Tetbury who served in World War I. There are also some old statues, called effigies, in the north aisle passage. These were moved from the earlier church building to keep them safe.