Church of St Nicholas, Charlwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Nicholas, Charlwood |
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St Nicholas' church, Charlwood
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 Church of St Nicholas, Charlwood
Location in Surrey
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| 51°09′21″N 0°13′39″W / 51.1558°N 0.2276°W | |
| Location | The Street, Charlwood, Surrey, RH6 0EE |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | St Nicholas Church |
| History | |
| Status | Grade I listed |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | William Burges |
| Style | Norman |
| Years built | 11th to 15th centuries |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Charlwood |
| Diocese | Diocese of Southwark |
The Church of St Nicholas is a historic church in the village of Charlwood, Surrey, in England. It's a very special building because parts of it are almost 1,000 years old! The church has a tower and main section from the 11th century, along with beautiful art and architecture from the 1200s to the 1400s. Because of its great historical importance, it is a Grade I listed building, which is the highest rating given to protect England's most special buildings.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: The Church's History
The oldest parts of St Nicholas's Church, including its tower and a small main hall (called a nave), were built around the year 1080. That's not long after the Norman Conquest of England! The church was simple at first, with just a nave and a strong, square tower.
Around 1280, the church was made bigger with a new chapel. This chapel had amazing wall paintings, some of which can still be seen today. Later, in the 1400s, another chapel was added for a man named Richard Saunders after he passed away in 1480.
Restoring a Treasure
By the 1800s, the old church needed repairs. A famous architect named William Burges was hired to restore it between 1864 and 1867. During his work, he discovered the hidden 13th-century wall paintings. He carefully recorded and helped preserve these incredible works of art.
Many of the church's furnishings are also very old. The pulpit, where the priest speaks from, is from the Tudor era (around 500 years ago). You can also see bits of ancient stained glass in the windows, showing parts of a saint and other colourful patterns. A beautiful screen that once surrounded the Saunders chantry chapel is decorated with Richard Sander's initials and carvings of winged dragons.
The Church and Its Surroundings
St Nicholas's Church has a graveyard surrounding it. Next to the church grounds is the Old Rectory, which was the traditional home for the church's priest. The path leading to the church and the special covered gate at the entrance, called a lychgate, are also protected as historic structures.
The church keeps important records of baptisms, marriages, and deaths that go all the way back to 1595. These records are a fascinating window into the village's past.
The Parish of Charlwood
A parish is the area that a church serves. The Church of St Nicholas serves the parish of Charlwood, which is part of the Church of England. The village of Charlwood is known for having over 80 historic listed buildings, making it a very special place. The church is located right in the heart of the village, close to many of the oldest homes.
Church Life Today
St Nicholas's is part of the Diocese of Southwark. The church holds regular services every week and is a busy hub for the community. It shares its priest, called a rector, with the nearby church of Emmanuel in Sidlow Bridge.
The church offers many fun activities for kids and families:
- Pre-School Praise: A monthly event for young children with stories, crafts, and music.
- NicsMix: A monthly club for children with fun activities and learning.
- Venture Week: A whole week of fun activities for kids up to age 14, held every August.
- Bellringers: The church has a team of bellringers who practice every week.
See also
- Diocese of Southwark
- List of places of worship in Mole Valley
