St Martin of Tours church, Epsom facts for kids
St Martin of Tours Church in Epsom is a very old and important building. It's located on Church Street in Epsom, Surrey. This church is so special that it's officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a historic place that needs to be protected.
A Look at the Church's History
The oldest part of St Martin's Church is its tower, which is made of flint stone. This tower was built around the year 1450, making it over 570 years old!
Most of the church you see today was rebuilt in 1824. A designer named Mr. Hatchard from Pimlico created the plans for this new look. Later, in 1908, more parts were added. Sir Charles Nicholson designed the choir and the transepts (the parts that stick out on the sides, making the church look like a cross).
Inside the church, you'll find a beautiful organ. It's a large "three-manual" organ made by a company called Norman and Beard. Above the main altar, there's a special decorated screen called a reredos. It has two levels and features small statues of saints.
Remembering Heroes
The church also has special memorials to remember people. There are memorials for the brave men from St Martin's Epsom who lost their lives in the Great War (World War I). Another memorial honors those who died during the Burma Campaign between 1942 and 1945 in World War II. The churchyard, which is the area around the church, also has some interesting old monuments.
Historic Monuments Inside
Many old monuments from the original church were saved. You can now see them in the nave, which is the main part of the church. These monuments honor important people from the past who were connected to Epsom. Some of these include members of the Coke and Evelyn families from the 1600s, and the Cuthbert family from the 1700s.
Some famous sculptors created these monuments. For example, John Flaxman designed monuments for John Brathwaite and John Henry Warre. Another well-known artist, Francis Chantrey, created a monument for Susan Warre. These old artworks help us learn about the history of the people who lived in Epsom long ago.