St Denis' Church, Otterham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Denis’s Church, Otterham |
|
|---|---|
St Denis’s Church, Otterham
|
|
| 50°41′13.33″N 4°35′41.54″W / 50.6870361°N 4.5948722°W | |
| Location | Otterham |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad church |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Denis |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Designated | 17 December 1962 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Otterham (Boscastle and Tintagel Group of Churches) |
| Deanery | Stratton |
| Archdeaconry | Bodmin |
| Diocese | Diocese of Truro |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St Denis's Church in Otterham is a special old church in Cornwall, England. It's part of the Church of England and is considered a very important building, known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it has a lot of history and is protected!
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Church History
How Old is St Denis's Church?
St Denis's Church is very old, dating back to the Norman period. The Norman period was a long time ago, starting in 1066 when the Normans came to England. This means parts of the church are over 900 years old!
The church is named after St. Denis. We don't have many old papers explaining why it was named after him. However, a piece of land nearby was called "St Tenye" in 1613, which might be a clue. Other churches in Cornwall are also named after this saint.
Changes Over the Years
The church has been changed and fixed up many times. The tall tower, for example, might have been rebuilt in 1702.
Between 1889 and 1904, the church had a big restoration. During this time, some parts were changed. For example, the north transept (a part of the church that sticks out like an arm) was removed. Also, a lot of the old wooden parts inside the church were taken out.
Church Groups and Parishes
What is a Parish?
A parish is like a local area that a church serves. St Denis's Church is part of a group of parishes called the Boscastle and Tintagel group. This means it works together with several other churches in the area.
Churches in the Group
Here are the other churches that are part of this group:
- St Symphorian's Church, Forrabury
- St Merteriana's Church, Minster
- St Materiana's Church, Tintagel
- St Michael and All Angel's Church, Lesnewth
- St Julitta's Church, St Juliot
- The Holy Family Church, Treknow
- St Piran's Church, Trethevy
- St Petroc's Church, Trevalga
Music and Bells
The Church Bells
Originally, St Denis's Church had three bells. Over time, more bells were added, and now it has a set of six bells. These bells are rung together to make a beautiful sound, often called a "peal."
Music in the Church
In the past, the church used a harmonium for music. A harmonium is a bit like a small organ that uses air pumped by foot pedals. Today, the music is played by an electric organ. You can find this organ at the front right side of the church.
