St Edmund and St Mary's Church, Ingatestone facts for kids
St Edmund and St Mary's Church is a historic Church of England church located in the village of Ingatestone, Essex. This beautiful church has been standing for a very long time, with parts of it dating back to the 11th century. Over the years, it has been changed and updated, especially in the 17th century, giving it a unique look.
The church is a special place for the local community. It serves as a parish church, which means it's the main church for the people living in the area.
What Makes It Special?
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One of the most striking features of St Edmund and St Mary's Church is its tall west tower. This tower is made of red brick, which was a popular building material in the past. It's known for its impressive design.
The tower has strong, angled supports called buttresses that help it stand tall. At the very top, it has a heavy, castle-like crown with battlements. You can also see cool black brick patterns on the red brick, which are called diapering. These patterns make the tower look even more interesting.
The Sarsen Stone Mystery
Right next to the church's west door, you can find a piece of a large, natural rock called a Sarsen stone. These stones are very old and were often used by ancient people.
Interestingly, this isn't the only piece of this stone. The other two parts are located on either side of a nearby road called Fryerning Lane. It's a bit of a mystery how these large stones ended up in these specific spots!
The Petre Family Chapel
Inside the church, there's a special chapel built next to the main part of the church called the chancel. This chapel is important because it holds the tombs of the Petre family.
The Petre family was a very important local family who lived nearby at Ingatestone Hall. Their tombs are like special memorials where important family members, including William Petre and his wife, and John Petre, 1st Baron Petre and his wife, are remembered. These monuments tell a part of the local history of Ingatestone.
