St Edward the Confessor's Church, Leek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Edward the Confessor's Church, Leek |
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| 53°06′25″N 2°01′35″W / 53.1069°N 2.0265°W | |
| OS grid reference | SJ 983 566 |
| Location | Leek, Staffordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Edward the Confessor |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 1951 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Lichfield |
St Edward the Confessor's Church is an active Anglican church located in Leek, England. This church is very old, dating back to the 13th century. It is considered a special building and is listed as Grade II*. This means it is a very important historic building.
It was the first and main church for the town of Leek. As Leek grew, other churches like All Saints were built. But St Edward's remains a key part of the town's history.
Contents
What are the Church's Restorations?
The church looks the way it does today because of two major "restorations" in the 1800s. A restoration means fixing up and improving an old building.
Who Restored the Church?
The first restoration happened in 1847. It was led by an architect named Ewan Christian. He was an expert in church buildings. The second big restoration was done by George Edmund Street. He was a famous architect who loved the Gothic Revival style. This style brought back medieval church designs.
What Special Art is Inside the Church?
St Edward's Church has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were made by a famous company called Morris and Co..
Who Designed the Stained Glass?
Some of the designs for the windows were created by well-known artists. These include George Frederick Bodley and Edward Burne-Jones. Another artist, John Henry Dearle, also designed a window.
What are the Leek School of Embroidery Textiles?
The church also owns special textiles. These were made by the Leek School of Embroidery. This school was started in 1879 by Lady Elizabeth Wardle and her husband Sir Thomas Wardle. One of the church windows is a memorial to Lady Wardle.
What is Special About the Churchyard?
The churchyard is the area around the church. The wall around it and the gate, called a lychgate, are also historic. They are listed as Grade II.
What are the Ancient Crosses?
Inside the churchyard, there are two very old crosses. They date back to the early medieval period, around the 11th century. These crosses are also protected as scheduled monuments. This means they are very important historical sites.
- Cross, south
- Cross, southeast
What is the Double Sunset Phenomenon?
The churchyard is famous for a special event called the "double sunset." This happens around the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. From the churchyard, you can see the sun set twice behind a hill about six miles away.
Who First Described the Double Sunset?
The double sunset was first written about in 1686 by Robert Plot. People can still see it today if the weather is clear.
How Old is the Double Sunset Phenomenon?
This amazing sight has been happening for hundreds of years. It's even older than when Christianity first came to Britain. Some people think this spot might have been a holy place long ago, even before the church was built. They believe the church was built there to make it a Christian holy site.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Staffordshire Moorlands
- Listed buildings in Leek, Staffordshire
