Lady St Mary Church, Wareham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lady St. Mary Church, Wareham |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | circa 800 |
| Dedication | Saint Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 7 May 1952 |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Salisbury |
Lady St. Mary Church in Wareham, Dorset, England, is a very old church with Anglo-Saxon roots. It's famous for a few cool things! People think it might be where King Beorhtric was buried a long, long time ago. Also, five special stones with ancient writings from the 7th to 9th centuries were found here. Another unique part of the church is its hexagonal (six-sided) lead font, which is about 800 years old. Sadly, the original Anglo-Saxon part of the church, called the nave, was taken down in 1842.
Contents
Church History: A Look Back
Early Beginnings of the Church
The church of Lady St. Mary has a long and interesting history. Around the year 705, a church was started in Wareham by St Aldhelm. He was a bishop from Sherborne. This church was likely the very beginning of Lady St. Mary.
Royal Connections and Rebuilding
There might have been a nunnery (a place where nuns lived) connected to the church. But this building was destroyed by a Danish attack in 876. Later, around the year 900, the daughter of Alfred the Great helped rebuild it. This church is also thought to be the burial place of King Beorhtric, who died in 802. Even more famously, the body of King Edward the Martyr was brought here in 978. This happened after he was sadly murdered at Corfe Castle.
Exploring Lady St. Mary Church
A Protected Historic Building
On May 7, 1952, Lady St. Mary Church was given a special status. It became a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
What the Church is Made Of
The church is built using Purbeck limestone. This is a type of stone found in the local area. Its roofs are made from slate and tiles. The church has a long main section called a chancel. It also has a nave with two aisles, which are like side passages.
Special Parts of the Church
The south chapel is a bit lower than the rest of the building. It once had a treasury above it, which was a place to keep valuable items. At the west end of the church, there is a strong tower. It has four main levels. The tower also has strong diagonal supports on its lower three levels.
Windows and Age of the Church
You can see a large window at the west end of the church. There is another big window at the east end. These windows were put in between 1886 and 1890 by a company called Clayton & Bell. While the church was founded in the 8th century, different parts were built at different times. The south chapel, for example, dates back to the 12th century. Other parts of the building were built in the 14th century. The tower was likely added in the early 16th century.
