Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick |
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Tower and nave of the church as viewed from Warwick Castle
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 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
Location in Warwickshire
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| 52°16′56″N 1°35′17″W / 52.28222°N 1.58806°W | |
| Location | Old Square |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | High Church |
| Website | website |
| History | |
| Founded | 1123-? |
| Dedication | Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Warwick, St Mary |
| Deanery | Warwick & Leamington |
| Archdeaconry | Warwick |
| Diocese | Coventry |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Collegiate Church of St Mary is an important Church of England parish church in Warwick, England. It stands in the town centre, just east of the market place. This church is a very special building, listed as Grade I. It is also a member of the Major Churches Network.
This church is called a "collegiate church." This means it used to have a group of priests, called canons, who lived and worked there. It was run a bit like a cathedral. However, it was not the main church for a bishop. There is a Bishop of Warwick, but this person helps the main bishop of the Diocese of Coventry.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
How the Church Began
The church is about 900 years old! It was started in 1123 by Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick. He also set up the group of priests, or "college," at the church. The only part left from this very first church is the crypt. The crypt is an underground room, often used for burials.
Later, in the 1300s, a new Earl of Warwick, Thomas de Beauchamp, rebuilt parts of the church. He rebuilt the chancel, vestries, and chapter house. These new parts were built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This style has tall, thin windows and detailed stone work.
Between 1370 and 1394, more parts of the church were rebuilt. This included the main hall (nave) and side aisles. Thomas Beauchamp's family also built a special area called the Chapel of Our Lady. It is usually known as the Beauchamp Chapel. This chapel holds the tombs of important people. These include Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, and Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton, whose sister was Queen Catherine Parr, is also buried in the church.
From the 1500s Onwards
The college of priests was closed down in 1546. The church then became the property of the townspeople of Warwick. Before the English Civil War, many of the stained glass windows in the Beauchamp Chapel were copied. These copies showed the family symbols of the Beauchamps.
In 1693, a huge fire, called the Great Fire of Warwick, destroyed much of the town. The church was badly damaged too. Its nave and tower were completely burned down. The church was rebuilt and finished in 1704. William Wilson designed the new parts in a Gothic style. Some people think Christopher Wren also helped with the design, but this is not certain. The new tower is about 130 feet (40 metres) tall.
The church has been getting a lot of repair work since early 2023. This work is expected to finish by the end of 2023. The repairs cost about £1.4 million. They were planned after a piece of stone fell from the church's tower.
Music at St Mary's
Organs
St Mary's Church has two organs. One is in the transept, and the other is at the west end of the church. You can find details about both organs on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Music Leaders
The church has a long history of music. Many talented musicians have worked here. Before 1976, the main musician was called the Organist. Since 1976, the main music leader has been called the Director of Music.
- Some of the Directors of Music include:
- Andrew Fletcher (1976)
- Paul Trepte (1981)
- Simon Lole (1985)
- Mark Shepherd (1994)
- Chris Betts (1998)
- Katherine Dienes (2001-2007)
- Thomas Corns (2008-2017)
- Oliver Hancock (2018)
- The church also has Assistant Organists. Since 1999, this role has been combined with the Assistant Director of Music. Some of these include:
- Arthur Wills (1946-48)
- Edward Higginbottom (1965-67)
- Kevin Bowyer (1989)
- Christopher Monks (1999)
- Luke Bond (2002)
- Ruaraidh Sutherland (2006)
- Mark Swinton (2011)
Image gallery
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The tower in 2016
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From Northgate Street
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Beauchamp Chapel
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Beauchamp Chapel west wall
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Church Nave Altar
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The Crypt
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Dean's Chapel
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Interior looking east
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Interior looking west
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The view from within the Beauchamp Chapel
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The entrance to the Beauchamp family chapel in St Mary's
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Effigy of Ambrose Dudley on his tomb in the Beauchamp Chapel
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Bear at feet of Ambrose Dudley on his tomb
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Effigies of Robert Dudley and Lettice Knollys on their tomb in the Beauchamp Chapel
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Effigy of Lettice Knollys.
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Lion rampant queue-fourché, emblem of the Dudley family, on the Dudley/Knollys tomb
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Inscription on rear panel of tomb of Robert Dudley and Lettice Knollys
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Coat of Arms of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
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Bear and ragged staff, emblem of the earls, city and county of Warwick. Tomb of Robert Dudley and Lettice Knollys
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Effigy of Richard Beauchamp
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Effigy of Robert Dudley, son of Robert Dudley and Lettice Knollys, known as the "Noble Impe", on his tomb in the Beauchamp Chapel
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Tomb of Robert Dudley, the "Noble Impe"
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Inscription on tomb of the "Noble Impe"
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Scaffolding on the tower during maintenance works in 2023 from Castle Street
