St Andrew's Church, Marks Tey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church |
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Exterior
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| 51°52′51″N 0°46′32″E / 51.88075°N 0.77546°E | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Churchmanship | Charismatic Evangelical |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 7 April 1965 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Marks Tey |
| Diocese | Chelmsford |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Andrew's Church is a historic Church of England building. It is located in the village of Marks Tey in Essex, England. This church is very old and important. In 1965, it was given a special status called Grade I listed. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
St Andrew's Church has been standing for a very long time. Its oldest parts date back to the 12th century. Over hundreds of years, different parts of the church were built or changed.
How the Church Was Built
The main part of the church, called the nave, was built around the year 1100. The builders used different materials for the walls. These included mixed rubble, a type of rock called puddingstone, and even old Roman bricks. These bricks might have come from a Roman house or building that was once nearby.
Changes Over the Centuries
The chancel, which is the area around the altar, was rebuilt much later, around 1330. This new chancel included special features:
- A sedilla: These were seats built into the wall for the priests.
- A piscina: This was a stone basin used for washing sacred vessels.
- A chancel arch: This arch separated the chancel from the nave.
- A blocked-up doorway: This door once led to a rood screen, which was a decorative screen separating the chancel from the rest of the church.
The Tower and Other Features
The church's tower and its small spire were added in the 16th century. It's possible they replaced an older tower from the 14th century. The bottom part of the tower is made of brick and rubble. The top two-thirds are made of timber, which is wood.
The south porch, which is the entrance area, was also built in the 16th century. Inside the church, the cover for the font (a basin used for baptisms) dates back to the early 17th century. The entire church building was repaired and updated in the 19th century. This process is called restoration.
