St. Mary's Church, Callan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Mary's Church, Callan |
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| Old Callan Church | |
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Cill Mhuire, Callainn
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 St. Mary's Church, Callan
Location in Ireland
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| 52°32′39″N 7°23′25″W / 52.544064°N 7.39015°W | |
| Location | Green Street, Callan, County Kilkenny |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Previous denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | inactive |
| Style | Late Gothic |
| Years built | c. 1250 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | stone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Ossory |
St. Mary's Church is a very old church in Callan, Ireland. It is also a National Monument, which means it's a special historical site protected by the country. This church has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Contents
Where to Find St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church is right in the middle of Callan. You can find it where Green Street and Mill Street (also known as Augustine Street) meet. It's easy to spot in the town center.
The Church's Long History
Building the Original Church
St. Mary's Church was first built around the year 1250. A person named Hugh de Mapilton, who was the Bishop of Ossory at the time, was responsible for its construction.
Changes Over Time
Most of the church, except for its west tower, was rebuilt around 1460. This means the church you see today has parts from different periods.
The Trinity Stone
A special carved stone, called the "Trinity Stone," was made around 1520. It shows the Trinity, which is a religious symbol. This stone is very rare, and only a few like it still exist. A sculptor named Rory O'Tunny created it. People rediscovered this important stone in 1974.
Later Additions
A small chapel was added to the church in 1530. The part of the church called the chancel continued to be used for worship by the Church of Ireland (a type of Anglican church) until the 1970s.
What the Church Looks Like Inside
The church has a main area called a nave and a special area for the altar called a chancel. It also has north and south aisles, which are like walkways on the sides. These aisles have arches that connect them to the main part of the church.
Inside the Choir
The chancel and the choir (another part of the church) still have their roofs. Inside the choir, there is a square baptismal font. This is a basin used for baptisms.
Interesting Carvings and Tombs
You can find tomb-chests inside the church. These are like stone boxes for burials, but they don't have statues of people on them. One tomb-chest shows a skeleton, and another has carvings of vaulting (arched ceilings) and tracery (fancy stone patterns).
The north doorway of the church has a carved head of a woman. She is wearing a unique horned headdress, which was a popular style during the Tudor era.
Images for kids
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St. Mary's Church, Callan
