St Mary's Church, Axminster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church
Religion
Affiliation	Church of England
Location
Location	Axminster, Devon, England
Architecture
Architectural type	Church

St Mary's Church is a very old and important building in Axminster, Devon, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is the oldest building in Axminster and serves as the town's main parish church.

The church has parts that date back to the Norman times. However, most of what you see today was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. St Mary's Church has been a special "Grade II* Listed" building since 1950. This means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected.

History of St Mary's Church

The oldest part of St Mary's Church is a doorway from the Norman period. This doorway was moved and placed in its current spot. The church's tower was rebuilt in the 13th century. It was later repaired and made strong again in 1896.

In 2014, the church had some damage from a fire. But don't worry, it was carefully repaired and restored. The church was able to open its doors again in 2015, looking as good as new.

War Memorial and Other Features

Outside the church, in the churchyard, there is a special memorial. It remembers the soldiers who fought in World War I. This memorial is a tall, pointed stone pillar called an obelisk. It has fancy decorations from the Perpendicular style of architecture.

This memorial has also been a "Grade II Listed" structure since 1983. It lists the names of 65 local men from Axminster who died in World War I. Later, 19 more names were added for those who lost their lives in World War II.

Near the churchyard's north-east gate, there is another old stone structure. It is a tomb chest from the early 1800s. This tomb chest is also a Grade II Listed historical item.