Reading Minster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reading Minster
The church tower, chequered with flint and stone
Reading Minster Location in Reading Central
51°27′16.2″N 0°58′25.0″W / 51.454500°N 0.973611°W / 51.454500; -0.973611
Location	Reading
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Website	readingminster.org.uk
History
Founded	7th century
Dedication	St Mary
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I
Style	Gothic
Administration
Archdeaconry	Berkshire
Diocese	Oxford

Reading Minster, also known as the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, is the oldest church in Reading, England. It has been a place of worship for a very long time. Even though a bigger church called Reading Abbey became more important later, Reading Minster became special again after the Abbey was destroyed. Today, it is an Anglican parish church, which means it serves the local community.

The church stands on a street named St Mary's Butts. It's important not to confuse it with another church nearby, St Mary's Church, Castle Street, which has a similar name.

What is the History of Reading Minster?

The Chancel looking East towards the Sanctuary

The Lady Chapel

The Kendricke Monument dates to 1653

The baptismal font dates to 1616

People believe that a small chapel was first built here in the 7th century by Saint Birinus. This was a very long time ago! In the 9th century, old silver coins were found in the churchyard. These coins are from when Kings Ethelred and Alfred fought the Danes in Reading. This was also when Reading started to become a more important town.

In 979, Queen Ælfthryth, who was the wife of King Edgar, started a royal nunnery (a place for nuns) on this site. She did this to show she was sorry for something that happened to her stepson, King Edward the Martyr. The only part of this old nunnery that you can still see today is a round Saxon doorway in the church. Nuns likely used this door to go to church services.

In the 11th century, the Danes attacked Reading and destroyed the nunnery. By the time the Domesday Book was written (a big survey of England), William the Conqueror had given the church to Battle Abbey.

How Did Reading Abbey Influence the Minster?

In 1121, King Henry I founded Reading Abbey. This Abbey grew to be one of the most important religious and political places in England. For the next 400 years, Reading Abbey was the main church power in the town. The Abbot (the head of the Abbey) was also in charge of St Mary's.

In 1371, King Edward III set up a special fund called a chantry for the chapel. The Mayor of Reading helped manage this fund.

What Happened During the Reformation?

The main part of Reading Minster was built in the late 11th century. However, in 1539, King Henry VIII ordered the Reading Abbey to be closed down. This was part of a big change called the English Reformation.

After the Abbey was closed, St Mary's church lost its altar, statues, and stained glass windows. By 1550, it needed a lot of repairs. Between 1551 and 1555, the church was fixed up using stones and wood from the ruined Abbey. Records show that parts of the Abbey's choir and roof were moved to the Minster. It is thought that the pillars separating the Minster's south aisle from the main area came from the Abbey.

The baptismal font (where baptisms happen) stands on an older base and was made in 1616. It was a gift from the Vachell family. The font has eight sides and is carved with the symbols of the Vachell, Knollys, and Reades families. These families were connected through marriage. Some carvings show Tudor roses, which would have been brightly painted. On the north wall, there is a large black and gold monument for William Kendricke and his wife, from 1635. William Kendricke was a churchwarden at the Minster and gave a lot of money to the church.

In 1918, a special chapel called St Edwards Chapel was added as a war memorial. You can enter it through the old Saxon doorway from the nunnery. The church was also repaired and updated in 1863, 1872, 1935, and between 1997 and 2003.

What About the Bells?

Most of the bells in the Minster's tower are from the 17th and 18th centuries. There are three bells from 1640, two from 1740, and two from 1743. The first clock was put in the tower in 1611.

Does the Minster Have an Organ?

The Minster's organ dates to 1862

Yes, Reading Minster has an organ that was built by Father Willis for a big event called the 1862 International Exhibition. The same company rebuilt it in 1936. In the early 2000s, the church started a project to fix the organ. It had been neglected for many years, so its pipes were rusty, the bellows were broken, and the soundboards were bent. Fixing the organ needs about £500,000 to replace parts like the wind system, electronics, and keyboards.

What Can You Find in the Churchyard?

The churchyard is the area around the church. It is bordered by streets like St Mary's Butts, Gun Street, and Chain Street. Many paths cross the churchyard, as people walk through it to get to different parts of the town centre.

There are some important trees in the churchyard. One is a 150-year-old Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides). In 2007, people thought it might not survive, but it has grown new leaves since then!

You can also find the Jubilee Cross in the churchyard. It was built in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's 50 years as queen. The monument looks like it's from the 15th century and is made of Portland stone. It has a tall, eight-sided shaft with a cross on top. This cross is a listed building (meaning it's protected because of its history). Some people think it was built to be different from the Jubilee Drinking Fountain nearby, which also celebrates the same anniversary but looks more modern.

Notable Clergy

• Henry Hart Milman (1791–1868): He was a clergyman here from 1818 to 1835.

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