Faversham Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Faversham Parish Church |
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| The Parish Church of St Mary of Charity | |
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| 51°19′02″N 0°53′41″E / 51.3171°N 0.8948°E | |
| Location | Faversham, Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Canterbury |
St Mary of Charity, Faversham Parish Church is a historic Church of England church in the town of Faversham, Kent, England. Its unique spire stands tall, making it a famous landmark visible from far away. This church is a very important part of Faversham's history and community.
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History of Faversham Church
The church you see today is what remains of a much larger religious area. This area included Faversham Abbey, which was started in 1147 by King Stephen. The Abbey was later closed down by King Henry VIII.
The Crown Spire and Size
Even though the church itself is very old, from the medieval times, its special "flying" spire was added much later. This spire, also called a crown or corona spire, was built in the 18th century. This was a time when Faversham was doing very well and growing.
The church is surprisingly big. It is thought to be the second largest church in Kent, after All Saints Church, Maidstone. Because it is so large, it has amazing sound quality. It's even big enough to hold a full symphony orchestra for concerts!
Victorian Changes to the Interior
In 1874, the inside of the church was updated and changed by a famous architect named Sir George Gilbert Scott. He is known for designing many important buildings. Some of his other famous works include St Pancras Station in London and parts of the Foreign Office.
Special Features to Discover
The church has many interesting things to see. One special feature is believed to be the tomb of King Stephen. This makes it one of the few churches outside London where an English king was buried.
You can also find nationally important misericords in the Quire. These are small wooden seats with carvings underneath. There is also a rare medieval painted pillar, which is very old and unique. More recently, a new altar was added, dedicated to Saints Crispin and Crispinian. The church clock was built by James William Benson.
In 1950, the church was given a special status. It was listed as Grade I by English Heritage. This means it is a building of great historical importance.
Music at the Church
St Mary of Charity has a strong tradition of church music. It has a choir made up of adults and children. They sing traditional Anglican services like Matins, Evensong, and Communion. The current Director of Music is Ben Saul. The choir is connected to the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music). Some singers in the choir have even earned the RSCM's highest award, the Gold Award.
