Moreton Jeffries Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moreton Jeffries Church |
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Moreton Jeffries Church and Moreton House
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| OS grid reference | SO 603 484 |
| Location | Moreton Jeffries, Herefordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 9 June 1967 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone, tiled roofs |
Moreton Jeffries Church is an old Anglican church located in the small village of Moreton Jeffries. This village is about 14 kilometers (9 miles) northeast of Hereford in Herefordshire, England. The church is considered a very important historical building. It is listed as a Grade II* building on the National Heritage List for England. Today, the Churches Conservation Trust takes care of this special church.
Contents
History of the Church
When the Church Was Built
This church was first built a very long time ago. It was constructed in the 13th or early 14th century. That means it's over 700 years old! Later, more parts were added to the west side of the building.
Changes Over Time
The church has been repaired and updated many times. It was restored in the 18th century. Then, in 1860, a big restoration project happened. This was done by a person named John Morley.
Becoming a Protected Site
In 1980, the church was no longer used for regular services. It was then officially given to the Churches Conservation Trust in 1984. This trust helps to protect and care for old churches like this one.
Exploring the Church's Design
Outside the Church
The church is made from sandstone and has a roof covered with tiles. It has a simple design. There's a main hall called the nave and a special area for the altar called the chancel. Both are under one roof. There is also a small porch on the south side. At the west end, there's a bellcote, which is a small tower holding the bells. This bellcote is made of wood and covered with slates.
Even though the church has very old parts, its outside looks like the Gothic Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s. The oldest part of the church is the south doorway, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The roof is also likely from that same time. On the south wall, you can see two windows with two sections each. The north wall has one similar window, plus other windows and a doorway that are now blocked up. The window at the east end has three sections.
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you'll see that the walls are covered in plaster. The floor is made of tiles, and some of them are special encaustic tiles. These tiles have patterns baked into them.
Many of the things inside the church are very old, from the 1600s and 1700s. This includes the screen that separates the chancel from the nave. The pulpit, where sermons are given, is also from this time. It's in the Jacobean style, which was popular during the time of King James I. The pulpit has a special roof-like structure called a sounding board, which helped voices carry better. It also has a reading desk.
The church still has old wooden benches from the same period. There's even one box pew, which is like a private seating area with high sides. The font, used for baptisms, has a round stone bowl with a marble basin. It stands on a black marble base.
On the east wall, you can see boards with the Ten Commandments written on them. On the west wall, there are boards with the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed. There are also memorials, including a brass plate for John Morley, who helped restore the church and passed away in 1899.
Church Bells
Moreton Jeffries Church has two bells. One of them is very old, from the 1500s! The other bell was made in 1709.
See also
