St Andrews, Great Finborough facts for kids
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St Andrew's Church is a historic building located in the village of Great Finborough, which is in Suffolk, England. It is a very important building, listed as a Grade II listed site. This means it has special historical or architectural value and is protected.
Discovering St Andrew's Church
A Church Through Time
The church building you see today was mostly built during the Victorian era by an architect named Richard Phipson. But did you know there has been a place of worship on this very spot for over 1000 years? That's a really long time!
Back in the year 1086, St Andrew's Church was even mentioned in the Domesday Book. This was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror to record everything in England. Records of births, deaths, and marriages began at the church in 1558.
Over the years, the church has seen some changes. In 1883, a small wall was built around the church graveyard. The church roof was once damaged by lightning. Another time, strong winds caused damage to the roof. The only part of the church that is still original from its very early days is the Tudor porch.
What's Inside and Around the Church?
When you stand at the west door of the church, there's a beautiful view. The church's tall spire reaches almost 300 feet into the sky!
Above the main entrance, there's a small space called a niche. In this niche, you'll find a statue of St Andrew. You can tell it's him because he is carrying a cross. Inside the church, there is a large main area called the nave. There is also a side chapel. This chapel is filled with monuments dedicated to the Wollaston family. They were very important to the Finborough Estate for about 100 years. You can see monuments for many members of their family here.
The Pettiward family also played a big role in the estate. They took over after the Wollastons and owned the estate until the mid-1930s. Even today, weekly church services are still held at St Andrew's.
