St Mary's Church, Hartley Wintney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Hartley Wintney |
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St Mary's Church, Hartley Wintney, from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | SU 768 558 |
| Location | Hartley Wintney, Hampshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 24 November 1961 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 13th century |
| Completed | Mid-nineteenth century |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Body of church flint with some puddingstone and brick Transepts brick Tower flint Roofs tiled |
St Mary's Church is an old Anglican church located in the village of Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, England. It is no longer used for regular church services. This means it is a "redundant" church.
The church is a very important historical building. It is listed as a Grade II* building on the National Heritage List for England. This special listing means it is a building of more than local importance. It is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, which helps to protect old churches. The church sits on a hill south of the village, about 8 miles (13 km) east of Basingstoke.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
How the Church Was Built
St Mary's Church was first built in the 13th century. It was built by the nuns who lived at Wintney Priory, which was a type of monastery for nuns. Back then, the church only had two main parts: the nave (the main area where people sit) and the chancel (the area near the altar).
In 1416, two carpenters named John Willam and William Austin worked on the church. They made a deal with the Prioress, Joan Bannebury, to replace the roof. They also built a new belfry, which is a tower or structure where bells are hung.
Changes Over Time
Later, in the middle of the 19th century (the 1800s), more parts were added to the church. These included the transepts, which are parts that stick out from the sides, making the church look like a cross. A tower was also added at the west end.
St Mary's Church stopped being the main church for the village when a new church, dedicated to Saint John, was built. After that, St Mary's was used as a mortuary chapel. This means it was a place where bodies were kept before burial.
The church was officially declared "redundant" on March 13, 1974. This meant it was no longer needed for church services. On October 22, 1975, the church was given to the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust now takes care of the building and makes sure it is preserved for the future.
Architecture of the Church
Outside the Church
The main parts of the church, the nave and chancel, are built using flint stones. Some parts also have puddingstone, which is a type of rock, and brick. The transepts, which were added later, are made of red brick. The tower is also made of flint. The roofs of the church are covered with red tiles.
The church's layout includes the nave and chancel, with transepts on the north and south sides. There is also a tower at the west end. The chancel is about 17 feet 9 inches (5.4 m) long and 15 feet (4.6 m) wide. The nave is about 50 feet 10 inches (15.5 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. The transepts are about 17 feet 5 inches (5.3 m) long and 12 feet (3.7 m) wide. The tower is about 12 feet (3.7 m) square.
The windows on the sides of the chancel and nave are very old, from the 14th and 15th centuries. They have one, two, or three "lights," which are the sections of the window. The windows in the transepts and the large east window were added in the 19th century.
The tower has three levels. It has strong diagonal buttresses (supports) at its corners. On the bottom level, there is a door on the west side and a single window on the north and south sides. The middle level has two-light windows on the north, west, and south sides. The top level has three-light openings for the bells on all sides. At the very top of the tower, there is an embattled parapet. This means it has a wall with gaps, like the top of a castle. There is also a pinnacle (a small, pointed tower) at each corner.
Inside the Church
Inside the chancel, you can find a piscina from the 12th century. A piscina is a stone basin used for washing sacred vessels. There is also a hagioscope, sometimes called a "squint." This is a small opening in the wall that allowed people to see the altar from another part of the church.
The church also has box pews, which are enclosed seats with high sides. There is a communion rail from the early 18th century. You can also see hatchments, which are diamond-shaped boards showing a family's coat of arms, often displayed after a death. There is also a royal arms from 1705.
You can still see parts of 13th-century wall paintings inside the church. One painting shows Saint Christopher, who is often shown carrying the Christ Child across a river. Another painting shows Saint George bravely fighting and killing a dragon.
Notable People Buried Here
Several important people are buried at St Mary's Church:
- Henry Hawley: A general nicknamed "Hangman." He was known for his role in the Battle of Culloden, an important battle in Scottish history.
- William Lethaby: A famous architect and designer.
- Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke: A very important military leader during the Second World War. He was the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
- Ambrose Heal: A well-known furniture maker and retailer.
- Robert Weir Schultz: An architect who was part of the Arts and Crafts movement.
See also
