St George's Church, Little Thetford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's |
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| St George's Church, Little Thetford | |
East gable of the chancel
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| OS grid reference | TL 530 764 |
| Location | Little Thetford, Cambridgeshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | Little Thetford, St George |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 14th century |
| Dedication | Saint George |
| Events | Major restoration 1863 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 5 February 1952 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Completed | 1867 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 140 |
| Length | 19.5 metres (64 ft) |
| Width | 4 metres (13 ft) |
| Nave width | 6.75 metres (22.1 ft) |
| Materials | Fieldstone & limestone rubble & dressed limestone with plain tiled roof having end parapets |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Little Thetford with Stretham |
| Diocese | Diocese of Ely |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St George's Church is an old and beautiful church located in the small village of Little Thetford, in Cambridgeshire, England. It is a special place for the local community and has been around for many centuries. The church is part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England.
Contents
Discovering St George's Church History
St George's Church was built a very long time ago, in the 14th century. This means it is over 600 years old! It was made from strong stone and originally had a roof covered in thatch, which is a type of straw.
Early Days and Changes
In 1751, the church was known as a "chapel of ease." This meant it was a smaller church that helped people in Little Thetford attend services without having to travel far to the main church in Stretham. The rector (the main priest) from Stretham would also serve at St George's.
A big change happened in 1863 when the church had a "heavy restoration." This was a time when many old churches were repaired and updated. The thatched roof was replaced with plain tiles, making it more modern for its time.
Lightning Strike and Rebuilding
In 1886, something dramatic happened: the church was hit by lightning! This caused a lot of damage, and the church needed a lot of rebuilding work to fix it.
Today, St George's Church has several important parts. These include the chancel (the area near the altar), the nave (where the people sit), a north porch (an entrance area), and a south vestry (a room often used by the clergy). Inside, you can still see a very old font from the 14th century, which is where baptisms take place. It's shaped like an octagon and still has its original lead lining.
St George's Church is considered a very important historical building. It is a "Grade II* listed building," which means it has special historical or architectural importance and is protected.
Exploring the Church's Architecture
The design of St George's Church shows how buildings were made many centuries ago, with some updates from later times.
Outside the Church
The roof of the church, which was once thatched, has been covered with plain tiles since the big repairs in 1863. The east end of the nave, which is the main part of the church, was rebuilt in 1665 using local bricks.
At the west end of the church, there is a special feature called a "bellcote." This was added in the 19th century and holds one bell. The west window, also from the 19th century, has three trefoil lights, which are decorative openings shaped like three-leaf clovers.
The north and south walls of the nave each have a window with three cinquefoil lights. These are similar to trefoil shapes but have five leaves. The stone frames around these windows might be from an even earlier time. The north porch, made of brick and stone, was added in the 19th century.
The chancel, at the east end, has two windows on its north wall. The east window has three cinquefoil lights and still has its original decorative stone carvings. The windows on the south wall were repaired around 1980.
Inside the Church
Back in 1751, records show there were two bells at the west end of the church. The current single bell, which is still there today, was made in 1769.
The roof inside the church, built in the 19th century, has a special design called a "collar rafter type." The arch that separates the nave from the chancel was also built in the 19th century and has decorative moldings.
In 1980, the vestry area was updated. This included adding a toilet, facilities for refreshments, and making it easier for people with disabilities to access the church.
