St Giles' Church, Elkesley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Giles' Church, Elkesley |
|
|---|---|
St Giles' Church, Elkesley
|
|
| 53°16′19.46″N 0°58′27.48″W / 53.2720722°N 0.9743000°W | |
| Location | Elkesley |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Giles |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 3 (Unringable) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Elkesley |
| Deanery | Bassetlaw and Bawtry |
| Archdeaconry | Newark |
| Diocese | Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham |
| Province | York |
St Giles' Church is a very old and special church located in Elkesley, England. It's so important that it's been given a Grade I listed status. This means it's one of the most historically significant buildings in the country. This church is part of the Church of England.
Contents
Discover St Giles' Church
A church in Elkesley was first mentioned in the Domesday Book. This was a huge survey of England made almost 1000 years ago in 1086. For a long time, the church was known as All Saints or All Hallows.
However, around the early 1800s, its name slowly changed to St Giles. This new name was first seen in a directory from 1844.
Church Style and Features
The church building is made in a style called "decorated gothic." This means it has fancy designs and patterns, especially around the windows. It's built from local limestone, a type of rock found nearby.
The church has several main parts. These include the nave (the main area where people sit), a north aisle (a side section), and a chancel (the area near the altar). It also has a tall west tower with pointed tops called pinnacles.
In 1845, some changes were made to the church. New wooden benches, called pews, were put in for people to sit on. At the same time, some parts of the church building were repaired and partly rebuilt.
Special Memorials
Inside the church, you can find old memorials. These are like special plaques or sculptures that remember people from the past.
- One memorial is for Catherine Sharpe, from 1764, made by an artist named Ant. Ince. You can find it in the south chancel.
- Another memorial remembers Edward and John Buckles from Mansfield. This one is in the north chancel.
The Church Bells
There are three old bells in the church tower. Each bell has a special message written on it in Latin.
- The first bell says: "missi de celis habeao nomen gabrielis." This means "I have the name Gabriel, sent from heaven."
- The second bell says: "hec pro laude pie resonat campana marie." This means "This bell rings for the praise of holy Mary."
- The third bell says: "nomen sanctorum hec campana olocum." This might mean "This bell is the place of the saints."
These bells are very old, probably made in the mid-1400s. We don't know who made them.
Bell Sizes and Weights
The first bell, named 'Gabriel', weighs about 450 pounds (which is 4 cwt). It is about 26 inches wide. The second bell, 'Mary', is heavier, weighing about 560 pounds (5 cwt) and is 29 inches wide. The third bell, sometimes called 'All Saints', is the heaviest at about 670 pounds (6 cwt) and is 32 inches wide.
Why the Bells Don't Ring
Sadly, these old bells cannot be rung anymore. The wooden supports that hold them up are in a very weak condition. Because of this, it's not safe to ring them.
These bells are very special because they are some of the only bells in Nottinghamshire that were made before the Reformation. The Reformation was a big change in the church that happened in the 1500s. The way these bells are tuned is also unique, as it's somewhere between a modern major and minor musical scale.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Nottinghamshire
- Listed buildings in Elkesley
