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St Mary's Church, Bolsterstone facts for kids

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Bolsterstone Church 1
St Mary's Church in Bolsterstone.
Bolsterstone Church interior
A look inside the church.
War Memorial Bolsterstone
The War Memorial stands near the church entrance.

St Mary's Church, Bolsterstone is a historic church in the village of Bolsterstone, near Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. The current building was finished in 1879, but people have worshipped on this spot for centuries.

The church is a grade II listed building. This means it is officially recognized as a building of special historical importance that must be protected. It is located about 8.1 miles (13 km) northwest of Sheffield's city centre.

The History of the Church

While some believe a chapel stood here in the 1100s, the first proven place of worship was built in 1412. It was a private chapel called a chantry, created by Sir Robert de Rockley.

A Place for the Community

At the time, Bolsterstone was part of the huge parish of Ecclesfield. The main churches in Ecclesfield and Bradfield were very far away. Because of this, the local people began using the chantry as their public chapel.

For many years, the chapel was also used as a school for local children. This stopped in 1686 when the building was considered too old, and a new school was built nearby.

Rebuilding the Church

Over time, the chapel was expanded. A gallery and a set of bells were added. But by the late 1700s, the building had become unsafe. A sign warned that it was dangerous for people to worship inside.

In 1791, a new church was built to replace the old chapel. However, many people did not like its design. One historian said it "was more like a factory than a church." This plain building was used for about 80 years. In 1870, Bolsterstone officially became its own parish.

The Church We See Today

The vicar, William Reginald Wilson, decided to replace the unpopular church in 1872. The new St Mary's Church was built between 1872 and 1879. The total cost was £7,200. The beautiful stained glass windows were a gift from the local lord of the manor, Rimington Wilson.

The church officially opened in June 1880. Several important additions were made soon after:

  • A new organ was installed in 1885.
  • A new set of eight bells from the famous John Taylor bellmakers was fitted in 1892.
  • A lychgate (a roofed gate at the entrance to the churchyard) was built in 1897. It was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign.

In the churchyard, you can find two large, mysterious rectangular stones called the Bolster Stones. No one is sure where they came from.

Memorials and Modern Times

Choir Window, Bolsterstone Church
This window remembers the members of the Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir party who died in a 1947 accident.

A war memorial in the shape of a Celtic cross was put up next to the lychgate in 1921. It honours the 48 people from the parish who lost their lives in wars during the 20th century.

In the 1950s, the church had problems with its roof. Bad repairs caused dampness and rot in the wooden beams. The roof had to be fixed again in the 1960s. The problem returned in 1974, and the church had to close for a while until it was safe to reopen.

In 1997, a new stained glass window was added. It was created for the 50th anniversary of a tragic coach accident. The accident took the lives of nine people who were travelling with the Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir.

See also

  • Listed buildings in Stocksbridge
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