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. Today, it's a special kind of old church that is no longer used for regular services. It is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, an organization that helps protect important old churches. This church is so important that it's listed as a Grade II* building on the National Heritage List for England. It became part of the Trust's care in 1974.
Building the Church
St Mary's Church was designed by a famous architect named John Loughborough Pearson. He built it for the Fowle family. The church is made from strong materials like flint (a type of stone), brick, and tile. It has a unique pyramid-shaped spire on top.
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 Church
The main part of the church, called the nave, and its side sections, called aisles, are covered by one large roof. The floor in the front part of the church, known as the chancel, has special patterned tiles called encaustic tiles.
The roof inside is made of open wooden beams, called trusses. The church also has a tall tower with three levels. The pyramid spire on top of the tower can be seen from far away in the surrounding area.
Church Bells and Windows
St Mary's Church originally had six bells. These bells were made in 1871 by a company called Mears & Stainbank, from the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry. However, in 1976, these bells were moved. They were rehung in the Church of St Nicholas in Chute, a nearby village.
The church has beautiful stained glass windows. The large window at the west end of the church has glass made by a company called Clayton and Bell. This company was run by John Richard Clayton and Alfred Bell. There is also another window from 1914, which has a different style of glass. Inside the church, you can find a special plaque on the wall that remembers Frank G. Fowle, who passed away in 1942.
Church History
In 1954, the church's local area, called its parish, joined with the parish of Chute. St Mary's Church in Chute Forest stopped holding regular services in 1972. Even though it's no longer a regular church, a special service is still held there once a year.
See also
