Church of St Peter and St Paul, Chaldon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Peter and St Paul, |
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 Church of St Peter and St Paul,
Location in Surrey
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| 51°17′07″N 0°07′29″W / 51.285389°N 0.124684°W | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Founded | before 1086 AD |
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| Diocese | Diocese of Southwark |
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Chaldon, Surrey, is a very old church. It is part of the Church of England. This special building was started even before the year 1086! It is famous for a huge wall painting from around 1170. This painting shows scenes of the Last Judgement and purgatory. The church is a Grade I listed building, meaning it is very important historically.
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Exploring the Church Building
This small church has two main parts: the nave and the chancel. The nave is the main area where people sit. The chancel is the part near the altar.
How Old is the Church?
The church's east and west walls are from the 11th century. Most of the rest of the church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Some parts were changed later. For example, St Catherine's chapel was rebuilt in the 14th century. The tower was added much later, in 1843.
Windows and Features
The church's windows have been changed over time. Some windows in the north aisle are from 1330. The large window in the chancel was added in 1460. The south aisle window is from the early 17th century. Inside, you can also see an Easter Sepulchre from the 14th century. The pulpit, where sermons are given, dates back to 1657.
The Amazing Wall Painting
The most exciting part of the church is a large mural on the west wall of the nave. This painting was hidden for centuries! It was only found during restoration work in 1870-1871.
What the Painting Looks Like
The painting's background is a deep red color. The figures in the painting are lighter red or pink. Experts have called it "perhaps the most interesting ancient wall-painting in England." It is also known as "one of the most important English wall paintings" from its time. Sadly, another painting of a demon was found at the same time but was later destroyed.
What the Painting Shows
The painting tells a big story. It combines several ideas, including the Last Judgement, the Harrowing of Hell, and the Ladder of Salvation. The painting is split into two parts by a cloudy band.
- Lower Half: This part shows demons and bad things. You can see two demons boiling sinners in a pot. Two other demons are holding a saw with sinners balancing on it. There is also the Tree of Knowledge with the Serpent. Around these scenes, you can spot pictures of the Seven deadly sins.
- Upper Half: This part shows the judgement and souls being saved. On the right, it shows the Harrowing of Hell. On the left, the Archangel Michael is shown weighing souls. In the very center, there is a ladder. At the top of the ladder is Christ with a glowing halo.
The Ladder of Salvation
Art experts have described this painting as very rare. Some call it a 'Purgatorial Ladder'. Others link it to a style from the Greek Orthodox Church. This style is sometimes called 'The Ladder of the Salvation of the Soul and the Road to Heaven'. It's a powerful way to show people's journey towards salvation.
See also
