St Mary's Church, Chute Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| Location | Chute Forest, Wiltshire, England |
| Built | 1870-1871 |
| Architect | John Loughborough Pearson |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St Mary | |
| Designated | 8 May 1972 |
| Reference no. | 1364574 |
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St Mary's Church is a historic building located in Chute Forest, Wiltshire, England. It was built a long time ago, between 1870 and 1871, and officially opened in 1875. This church is very special because it is listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. Today, it is a redundant church, which means it's no longer used for regular church services. Instead, it is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, a group that saves old churches. The church officially became part of the Trust's care in 1974.
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Building a Special Church
St Mary's Church was built using interesting materials. It has walls made of flint, which is a hard stone, along with brick and tile. The church also has a unique pyramid-shaped spire on its tower. A famous architect named John Loughborough Pearson designed this church for the Fowle family.
Inside the Church
When the church was first built, about 188 people lived in the area. The Bishop of Salisbury officially opened the church on August 15, 1872. Inside, the main part of the church, called the nave, and the side areas, called aisles, are all covered by one large roof. The floor in the front part of the church, known as the chancel, has special encaustic tiles. These tiles have patterns pressed into them.
Church Features
The roof of St Mary's Church is made of open timber trusses, which means you can see the wooden beams that support it. The church has a tall tower with three sections, and the pyramid spire sits on top. This spire is easy to see from far away!
The Church Bells
Originally, St Mary's Church had six bells. These bells were made in 1871 by a company called Mears & Stainbank. They were from the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London. However, in 1976, these bells were moved. They are now used in the Church of St Nicholas, which is in the nearby village of Chute.
Stained Glass Windows
The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. The large window at the west end of the church was made by Clayton and Bell. This was a partnership between two artists, John Richard Clayton and Alfred Bell. There is another window from 1914, also at the west end, but it has a different style of glass. Inside, you can also see a special wall tablet that remembers Frank G. Fowle, who passed away in 1942.
Church History and Current Use
In 1954, the church's local area, called its parish, joined with the parish of Chute. St Mary's Church in Chute Forest closed its doors for regular services in 1972. Even though it's no longer used every week, a special service is still held at the church once a year.
See also
