St. Mary's Church, Downsmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Mary's Church, Downshill |
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| Woodlands Church | |
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Eaglais Fhearann na Coille
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 St. Mary's Church, Downshill
Location in Ireland
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| 53°07′47″N 6°06′38″W / 53.129708°N 6.110617°W | |
| Location | Woodlands, Kilcoole, County Wicklow |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 11th century |
| Dedication | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Celtic Christianity |
| Years built | 11th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Width | 7.5 m (25 ft) |
| Height | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 105 m2 (1,130 sq ft) |
| Materials | granite, limestone |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Glendalough |
St. Mary's Church, Downshill, also known as Woodlands Church, is a very old church in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is located in the beautiful Glen of the Downs. This church is so important that it is protected as a National Monument of Ireland.
Where is St. Mary's Church?
St. Mary's Church is found about 1.2 kilometers (or three-quarters of a mile) west of a town called Delgany. It sits in the southern part of the lovely Glen of the Downs. This area is known for its natural beauty.
A Look Back in Time: The Church's History
Historians believe St. Mary's Church was built a very long time ago, possibly in the 11th century AD. That means it could be over 900 years old! However, some people think it might have been built later, around the 15th century. Either way, it's a truly ancient building.
In 1906, the church was carefully repaired and made stronger. During this restoration, a special stone basin called a baptismal font was placed inside the entrance. This font is used for baptisms, which are important ceremonies in the Christian faith.
What Does the Church Look Like?
St. Mary's is a classic medieval church. It has two main parts: a nave and a chancel. The nave is the main area where people would sit, and the chancel is the part near the altar.
At the west end of the church, there's a small structure called a bell-cote. This is where a bell would have been hung. The main entrance has two special stone doorposts, called jambs, made of granite with angled edges.
The east wall of the church has a pretty arched window. On the south and north walls, you can see flat-arched windows that face each other. The church is built from strong materials like granite and limestone, which have helped it stand for centuries.
