St Mary's Church, Calne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's, Calne |
|
|---|---|
| Church of St Mary the Virgin | |
 |
|
 St Mary's, Calne
Location in Wiltshire
|
|
| 51°26′14″N 2°00′10″W / 51.4371°N 2.0028°W | |
| OS grid reference | ST999709 |
| Location | Calne, Wiltshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Perpendicular, Gothic survival |
| Years built | 12th century, restored 1864 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Calne and Blackland |
| Deanery | Calne |
| Archdeaconry | Wilts |
| Diocese | Salisbury |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary's Church is an important Anglican church in the town of Calne, England. It is a very old and large church, shaped like a cross. It has a tall tower on its north side. The church stands in a special triangular churchyard right in the middle of Calne. Building started way back in the 1100s. People say it was the "proud church of a prosperous clothiers' town," meaning it was important for a town that made a lot of money from cloth. St Mary's Church is a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very special historic building that is protected.
Contents
How Old Is St Mary's Church?
A church was first mentioned in Calne in 1066. It was almost certainly in the same spot where the church stands today. The current building started being built around 1160 to 1170. You can still see parts of the original Norman style from that time. This includes parts of the main area (called the nave) and a piece of a doorway. This doorway was later moved to the north porch.
Changes Over the Centuries
The church became longer in the 1300s. A special chapel, called St Edmund's chapel, was added on the north side. In the 1400s, more changes happened. A row of windows high up on the walls (called a clerestory) was added. Also, porches were built on the north and south sides. The roof of the nave was replaced during this time too.
In 1638, something big happened: the tower in the middle of the church fell down! This damaged parts of the north and east sides of the main church area (the chancel). The tower was rebuilt over the north transept (one of the "arms" of the cross-shaped church). This new tower is a great example of the Gothic survival style. It has four levels and looks like towers found in Somerset.
Modern Restorations
The church was given a big makeover in 1864 by an architect named William Slater. During this time, the south and west parts were rebuilt. This included the south chapel. The pulpit (where the priest speaks) and the organ were also moved.
Later, in 1882–83, another architect, J.L. Pearson, took over. He moved the organ again. The north-east chapel was changed into a vestry (a room where priests prepare). Pearson also designed more restoration work for the chancel in 1890–91.
What's Inside the Church?
When you look up in the nave, you can see the roof from the 1400s. The roof in the chancel is from the 1600s. The wooden benches where people sit are from the mid-1800s. Behind the altar, there is a beautiful three-panel reredos (a decorated screen). It was designed by J.L. Pearson in 1890.
A new organ by Conacher and Co was put in the church in 1908. The large wooden case around the organ and the altar in the south chapel are in the Arts and Crafts style. This style was popular in the early 1900s. They were designed by C.R. Ashbee and carved by Alec Miller. They were part of Ashbee's special Guild at Chipping Campden.
The Church Community
The old parish of Calne used to be very large. It included areas like Berwick Bassett, Cherhill, and Studley. These places had their own smaller churches or chapels that were connected to St Mary's. In the 1800s, Berwick Bassett and Cherhill became separate. A lot of the western part of the parish was moved to a new church at Derry Hill. This included places like Sandy Lane, Studley, and Bowood. Also, Stockley was moved to Heddington.
Today, St Mary's is the main church for the parish of Calne and Blackland. This parish also includes Holy Trinity at Quemerford, which is a Victorian church. Since 1881, it has also included the small 13th-century church at Blackland, which is south-east of the town. Since 2010, this parish, along with Derry Hill, Bremhill, and Foxham, has been part of the Marden Vale Team Ministry.
Records from the church, going all the way back to 1528, are kept safe in the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office.
