St Andrew's Church, Steeple Gidding facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church, Steeple Gidding |
|
|---|---|
St Andrew's Church, Steeple Gidding,
from the southwest |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| OS grid reference | TL 133 813 |
| Location | Steeple Gidding, Cambridgeshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Andrew |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 28 January 1958 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
St Andrew's Church is an old Anglican church in a small village called Steeple Gidding. This village is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northwest of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, England.
The church is no longer used for regular services. Instead, it is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This group helps protect important old churches. St Andrew's Church is also a "Grade II* listed building." This means it's a very special historic building that needs to be preserved.
History of St Andrew's Church
The oldest part of St Andrew's Church is the south doorway. It was built way back in the 12th century, which means the 1100s! Some other stones from the 13th century (the 1200s) were also used in the church's walls.
In the 14th century (the 1300s), more parts were added. The south aisle (a side section) and its arcade (a row of arches) were built. Around 1330, the chancel (the part of the church where the altar is) was constructed. The main part of the church, called the nave (where people sit), was also rebuilt.
Later in the 14th century, a tall west tower was added. Over the years, the church has had some updates. In 1874, a new south porch was built. The chancel, nave, and aisle were also repaired and updated during this time. This kind of work is called a "Victorian restoration" because it happened during Queen Victoria's reign. The tower was repaired in 1899.
What the Church Looks Like
St Andrew's Church is built from different kinds of stone. Some parts are made of rough stone called rubble, and other parts use smoother, cut stone called ashlar. Special decorative stones from Ketton and Barnack were used for details. The roof is made of lead.
The church has a main area (the nave) with a side section (the south aisle). Above the nave, there's a clerestory, which is an upper wall with windows that let in light. There's also a south porch at the entrance.
The church has a tall west tower with two main levels. It has a decorated base and a wall at the top with battlements, like a castle. You can also see gargoyles, which are stone carvings that act as water spouts, at the corners. On top of the tower is an eight-sided pointy roof called an octagonal spire.
The gabled porch is in the middle of the south aisle. It leads to the old Norman south doorway. In the south wall of the aisle, there are two windows, each with three sections, on either side of the porch. Along the upper wall of the clerestory, there are four windows, each with two sections. The chancel has two windows from about 1330 and a south doorway.
Inside the church, you'll see a row of four arches (a four-bay arcade). These arches are held up by eight-sided pillars called piers. In the chancel, there's a 14th-century piscina, which is a small basin used for washing sacred items. There are also three seats for the clergy, called a sedilia. Another piscina from the 14th century is in the south aisle.
The font, where baptisms take place, is from the 16th century. It has an eight-sided stone bowl on an eight-sided stand, sitting on a sloped base. Its wooden cover might be from the 17th century. Near the south door, there's a 12th-century stoup, which held holy water. You can also find memorials from the 17th century inside the church, with the oldest one dated 1640.
