Church of St Michael, Tilehurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Saint Michael, Tilehurst |
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| Location | New Lane Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire RG30 4JX |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | http://www.stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tilehurst |
| Diocese | Oxford |
St. Michael's Church in Tilehurst is a special church for the local community. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This church is located in Tilehurst, a town in Berkshire, England. It belongs to the Diocese of Oxford.
Contents
Discovering St. Michael's Church
How Old Is This Church?
This church is very old! It was first built around the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old. Imagine all the history it has seen!
The oldest part you can still see today is the south aisle. This section was built around the year 1300. It is now known as the Lady Chapel.
A Special Monument
In the early 1600s, something amazing was added to the south aisle. It's a grand monument dedicated to Sir Peter Vanlore. He was a rich merchant from the Netherlands. He was also the "lord of the manor," which meant he owned a lot of land in the area.
The monument shows Sir Peter Vanlore and his wife. They are surrounded by symbols of their family. You can also see their nine children on the monument. It's a beautiful piece of art from the Renaissance period.
Changes Over Time
Like many old buildings, St. Michael's Church needed repairs over the years. In 1855, a lot of work was done to restore it. This was part of a big movement called the "Victorian restoration." A famous architect named George Edmund Street designed these changes.
During this time, a new north aisle was built. A tall spire was also added to the church tower. The tower itself was built much earlier, in the 1730s.
More changes happened in 1955. Then, in 1993, a new extension was completed. This added more rooms and facilities. These additions help the church serve its busy community today.
