St James's Church, Abinger Common facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St James, Abinger Common |
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Church of St James and lych gate
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 Church of St James, Abinger Common
Location in Surrey
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| 51°12′07″N 0°24′20″W / 51.202074°N 0.405578°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint James |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Designated | 11 Nov 1966 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Abinger |
| Province | Canterbury |
The St James's Church is a historic church located on Abinger Lane in Abinger Common. This is a small village in Surrey, a county in south-eastern England. The church was first built a very long time ago, in the early 1100s. It was then rebuilt around the year 1220. Today, it is a special building known as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's important for its history and architecture.
Contents
The Church's Long History
The main part of the church, called the nave, was first built in the 12th century (the 1100s). Even before that, there's a mention of an older building in the Domesday Book. The nave was rebuilt around 1220. After this, the church stayed mostly the same until the Victorian era in the 1800s.
Changes Over Time
In 1857, during some restoration work, new parts were added. These included the vestry (a room for clergy), the organ bay (where the organ is), and the south porch (an entrance area).
World War II Damage and Repairs
During World War II, on August 3, 1944, the church was hit by a German V-1 flying bomb. This was a type of early missile. The church was repaired in 1950 by an architect named Frederick Etchells. During these repairs, the organ was moved to a different part of the church. The church needed more repairs after a fire in 1964.
How the Church is Built
The church is mostly built from a type of stone called Bargate rubble. It also has smooth, cut stones called ashlar for details. The roof is made of tiles. The porch has a flat slab roof, and the bell tower and spire are covered with wood shingles, which are like wooden tiles.
Parts of the Church
The church has a nave (the main part where people sit) and a chancel (the area near the altar). The nave is supported by buttresses, which are strong stone supports on the outside walls. There's a chapel at the north end of the chancel. To the south, you'll find the vestry, organ bay, and porch. At the west end, there's a bellcote, which is a small structure holding the church bell.
Windows and Features
The north and south sides of the nave have lancet windows. These are tall, narrow windows with rounded tops. The east side has a larger stained-glass window from the 15th century (the 1400s). Other windows in the church were added between the 13th and 19th centuries. The font, which is used for baptisms, was made in the 20th century.
Special Things to See
Inside the church, there are some important memorials. One is a monument built in 1910 by Albert Toft. It is dedicated to Alistair Mackenzie. There's also a wall tablet in the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Outside the Church
Outside the church, you can see the village stocks. These were used long ago to punish people in public. There's also the Abinger Common War Memorial. This memorial and the church are considered a group of important historic buildings. The war memorial was designed by a famous architect named Sir Edwin Lutyens. He also designed a nearby house called Goddards. The war memorial was also damaged by the same V-1 flying bomb that hit the church and was repaired in 1948.
More to Explore
- Grade II* listed buildings in Mole Valley
- List of places of worship in Mole Valley
