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 | 15th century |
| Dedication | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Celtic Christianity |
| Years built | 15th 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 considered a National Monument, which means it's a special historical site protected by the country. You can find it in a beautiful area called the Glen of the Downs.
Where is St. Mary's Church?
St. Mary's Church is located about 1.2 kilometers (or ¾ mile) west of a town called Delgany. It sits in the southern part of the lovely Glen of the Downs.
A Look Back: Church History
This church is quite old! Some people think it was built as early as the 11th century AD, but there isn't much proof for that. Most experts believe it was actually built in the 15th century. That means it's over 500 years old!
In 1906, the church was carefully repaired and made new again. During this restoration, a special stone basin called a baptismal font was placed inside the doorway.
What the Church Looks Like
St. Mary's Church has a classic design, with two main parts: a nave (the main area where people sit) and a chancel (the area near the altar). At the western end of the church, there's a small structure called a bell-cote, which holds a bell.
The main entrance has a doorway made of granite with special angled edges called bevel. The east wall of the church has a pretty arched window. On the south and north walls, you'll find windows with flat arches, facing each other. The church is built from strong materials like granite and limestone.
