Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Redenhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Redenhall |
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St Mary's Church, Redenhall
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| 52°24.67105′N 1°19.61998′E / 52.41118417°N 1.32699967°E | |
| Location | Redenhall |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | http://www.7churches.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | Assumption of Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Style | Perpendicular |
| Groundbreaking | 1326 |
| Completed | 1518 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 137 feet (42 m) |
| Width | 59 feet (18 m) |
| Height | 106 feet (32 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Redenhall with Harleston and Wortwell |
| Deanery | Redenhall |
| Archdeaconry | Norfolk |
| Diocese | Diocese of Norwich |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Redenhall, often called St. Mary's Church, is a very important historical building. It is a Grade I listed parish church, which means it's recognized for its special history and architecture. This church belongs to the Church of England and is located in Redenhall, Norfolk.
St. Mary's is the main church for a large area called Redenhall-cum-Harleston and Wortwell. There's also a smaller church nearby, St John the Baptist in Harleston. It used to be a "chapel of ease," meaning it was built to make it easier for people to worship without traveling far to the main church.
A Look Back in Time
People have been worshipping at the spot where St. Mary's Church stands for about 1,000 years or even longer! In 1858, workers found signs of an even older church. This older church might have been built by the Saxons or Normans. Its foundations were discovered when a new heating system was being put in.
Building the Church
The oldest part of the church you see today is the chancel. This section was built in the early 1300s. It might have been added to an earlier church that was already there. The rector, who was the church's priest, was responsible for keeping the chancel in good shape. William de Neuport, who was rector from 1319 to 1326, is thought to have paid for the chancel we see now.
The 1400s and 1500s were a time when many grand churches were built or rebuilt in East Anglia. The main part of St. Mary's, called the nave, and its side aisles were built during this period.
The most impressive part of the church, its tall tower, was started around 1460. Many people left money in their wills between 1469 and 1514 to help build it. This magnificent tower stands 106 feet (32 meters) high to the very top!
