Church of St Nicholas, Mavesyn Ridware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Nicholas |
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| 52°44′58″N 1°52′50″W / 52.749361°N 1.880502°W | |
| Location | Mavesyn Ridware, Staffordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Founded | 1140 |
| Founder(s) | Hugo de Mavesyn |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Lichfield |
| Diocese | Lichfield |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Nicholas is a very old and important church. It is located in the village of Mavesyn Ridware, Staffordshire, England. This church is a Grade I listed building. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
You can find the church at the eastern end of the village. It is about 370 meters (1,210 feet) north of the River Trent. It is also just north of the old Gatehouse of the former Manor House. The church was originally built in the Middle Ages. However, parts of it were taken down in 1782. Only the north aisle and the west tower remain from the older structure.
The Church of St Nicholas is one of only 12 Grade I listed buildings in the Lichfield District. It is special because it shows a complete example of a church rebuilt in the late 1700s. It also has a very rare family chapel. This chapel was created from a medieval aisle. It features old-style decorations and memorials.
Contents
History of the Church
People believe that the Church of St Nicholas was started in 1140. It was founded by a person named Hugo de Mavesyn. His tomb inside the church is in the spot usually given to the founder. The church was built in 1140. It was made bigger during the medieval period. Then, in 1782, parts of it were taken down and rebuilt.
The Original Medieval Church
Before 1782, the church looked quite different. It had a tower, a north aisle, a south aisle, a nave, a chancel, and a porch. The chancel was separated from the nave by a wooden screen. The walls were brightly colored. The ceiling of the south aisle was also very colorful.
The north aisle was built in the 13th century. It was made from ashlar sandstone. It still has some original lancet windows. These are tall, narrow windows with pointed tops. The north aisle was separated from the nave by three arches. These arches had pillars with eight sides.
The tower at the west end of the church was built in the 15th century. It was made of sandstone. It was built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This style often includes gargoyles. These are carved stone figures that stick out from the corners. Four bells were put into the tower during the 17th century.
Rebuilding in 1782
In 1782, the medieval nave, chancel, porch, and south aisle were taken down. The remaining west tower and north aisle were kept. A new, wider square nave was added. A chancel with a curved end, called an apse, was also built. These new parts were made of red brick.
Some of the stone from the old building was reused. It was used to build a wall between the new nave and chancel. The new part of the church was built taller than the older part. Steps lead down to the medieval north aisle. A small window in the north aisle was made from an old doorway.
The four bells in the tower were melted down and reshaped in 1923. Two more bells were added in 1928. Then, in 1999, two more bells were added. This made a total of eight bells. They weigh about eight and three-quarter hundredweight.
Monuments and Tombs
Many monuments, tombs, and effigies are found in the medieval north aisle. This area is also called the Mavesyn Chapel. Since the 12th century, the Lords of the Manor of Mavesyn were buried in this church. The main family burial vault is located under the floor of the north aisle.
Notable Burials and Effigies
One tomb has a statue, or effigy, of Sir Robert Mavesyn. He was killed in a battle called the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. Another tomb has a carved stone slab for Thomas Cawarden, who died in 1593.
There are also statues of two knights from the 13th century. On the floor of the aisle, you can see several carved slabs. These mark the graves of David Cardon (died 1557), John Cardon (died 1485), John Cardon (died 1477), and Hugo Davenport (died 1473).
The Norman Font
The font in the church is very old. It dates back to the Norman period. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This one has decorative bands of wavy stems and leaves carved into it.
Churchyard Memorials
Outside the church, in the churchyard, there is a large monument. It is listed as Grade II, meaning it is also historically important. This monument is a rectangular stone chest tomb. It was built in the mid-1700s. The writing on it is now too old to read.
The churchyard also contains a war grave. This grave belongs to a soldier from World War I. He was part of the Royal Engineers.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Staffordshire
- Listed buildings in Mavesyn Ridware
