St Mary's Church, Old Dilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| Location | Old Dilton, Wiltshire, England |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 11 September 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1021476 |
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St Mary's Church in Old Dilton, Wiltshire, England, is a very old church. It was built way back in the 14th century. This church is listed as a Grade I historic building. This means it is a very important and special place.
Today, St Mary's Church is no longer used for regular church services. It is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps to save and protect old churches across England. The church officially became part of the Trust's care in 1974.
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Where is St Mary's Church?
The church stands near the Biss Brook in a small area called Old Dilton. This spot is about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) southwest of the town of Westbury. Long ago, Old Dilton was part of the larger Westbury parish. A parish is like a local church area.
In the early 1800s, a helper priest from Westbury was assigned to look after Old Dilton. Later, in 1894, a new local area called Dilton Marsh was created. The church ended up just inside this new area.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building has several main parts. It has a nave (the main part where people sit) and a chancel (the area near the altar). There is also a north chapel, a north aisle, and a vestry. A vestry is a room where priests get ready.
The gabled south porch is the oldest part. It is thought to be from an even earlier church built in the 14th century. The rest of the church was built in the 15th century. It has a small stone spire at its western end.
Inside St Mary's Church
The inside of the church was updated in the 1700s. You can see special box pews, which are like enclosed seating areas. There is also a tall, three-decker pulpit where the priest would give sermons. The church also has two small galleries.
One gallery is over the north side of the chancel. This space was once used as a schoolroom! It even has a fireplace. The stone font is shaped like an octagon and is from the 15th century. You can also see the Royal Arms of King George III in the chancel.
Interestingly, St Mary's Church does not have any electricity.
The Church's Story Over Time
By the early 1800s, Old Dilton had become a very small village. More people were living in nearby Dilton Marsh. A new church was built in Dilton Marsh in 1844. Because of this, St Mary's Church in Old Dilton closed for regular services in 1900. However, it was still used for special harvest festivals.
Over the years, people have worked to keep the church in good condition. Conservation work happened in the 1930s and 1950s. This work was paid for by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. The church is still a holy place, and the Churches Conservation Trust takes care of its building.
Since the year 2000, more restoration work has been done. This work fixed problems caused by dampness, wood rot, and insects like weevils. New drains and gutters were even installed for the first time! Today, two church services are held at St Mary's Church each year.
See also
