St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland |
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St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland
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| 51°59′22.01″N 0°53′28.77″E / 51.9894472°N 0.8913250°E | |
| OS grid reference | TL 98628 36281 |
| Location | Stoke-by-Nayland |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 168 feet (51 m) |
| Height | 126 feet (38 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Stoke-by-Nayland |
| Deanery | Hadleigh |
| Archdeaconry | Ipswich |
| Diocese | Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
St Mary's Church in Stoke-by-Nayland is a really old and important church. It's part of the Church of England and is considered a "Grade I listed" building, which means it's super special and protected because of its history and beauty.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How Old is the Church?
The oldest parts of St Mary's Church were built a very long time ago, around the late 1200s or early 1300s. These include the south porch, a chapel called St Edmund's Chapel, and some of the wall along the side.
Most of the church was rebuilt in the 1400s. This was done in a style called "Perpendicular," which means it had tall, straight lines and big windows.
Who Helped Build It?
A powerful person named Sir John Howard (who lived from 1443 to 1485) helped with the rebuilding. He grew up in Stoke-by-Nayland and became a very important helper to two kings, Edward IV and Richard III. King Richard III even made him the Duke of Norfolk!
Sir John Howard's main home was Tendring Hall, right there in Stoke-by-Nayland. You can still see his family's symbols in different parts of the church.
Amazing Features of the Church
The South Porch and Doors
The church has a special south porch with a cool arched ceiling. Above it, there's even a small room where a priest might have stayed long ago.
The church's south doors are very old and unique, dating back to the 1400s. They are made of oak and have amazing carvings. You can see a "Jesse tree" carved into them, which shows figures, birds, and insects.
The Font and Tower
Inside, you'll find a font, which is a basin used for baptisms. It has the symbol of King Edward IV, a "rose en soleil" (sun rose), and symbols for the four Evangelists (writers of the Gospels in the Bible).
The church's tower is very tall, reaching 126 feet (about 38 meters) to the very top! People believe it's one of the 50 best medieval church towers in all of England. It stands out in the landscape of Dedham Vale and can be seen from far away.
A famous painter named John Constable, who painted the church many times, said the tower was its "grandest feature." He felt it made the whole area feel special and important. He also loved the tall, elegant arch inside the church, calling it "the crowning beauty of the interior."
Important Memorials
Lady Catherine Howard
There's a special brass plaque in the church that remembers Lady Catherine Howard. She was the wife of John Howard, the Duke of Norfolk. Her family, the Howards, were one of the most powerful families in England during a time called the Wars of the Roses.
An information board in the church explains that when she was buried in Stoke-by-Nayland in 1465, some very important people attended. These included the brothers of King Edward IV: Richard Plantagenet (who later became King Richard III) and George Plantagenet.
Lady Catherine Howard was also the great-grandmother of two of King Henry VIII's wives: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Her brass plaque was paid for by her son in 1520, which is why she is shown wearing clothes from the Tudor period, not from her own time.
Other Memorials
You can also find other brass plaques from the 1400s, including one for Sir William de Tendring, which is thought to be a real picture of him. There's also a monument for Sir Francis Mannock (who passed away in 1634) and Lady Anne Windsor (who passed away in 1615). Lady Anne Windsor left money to help build four special homes for people in need, which are still managed by the village today.
The John Howard Window
Long ago, there was a beautiful stained glass window in the church that showed John Howard praying. This image was also copied into a painting at Tendring Hall, but sadly, both the window and the painting are now lost.
Unfortunately, in 1643, during a time of conflict, all the old stained glass windows in St Mary's were destroyed by people who thought they were too fancy. You can still see other signs of this damage in the church.
The Church Organ
St Mary's Church has a pipe organ with two keyboards. Its oldest parts date back to around 1834. Over the years, different companies have worked on it, making changes and improvements.
The Church Bells
The church tower holds 8 bells! The heaviest bell weighs about 22 hundredweight (which is a lot, over 1,100 kilograms!). These bells have been ringing out over the village for many years. Some of them are very old, with one dating back to around 1380!
Images for kids
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St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland
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The church door in Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk. Look closely at the amazing carvings!
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John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk (around 1425-1485). This picture shows what the lost stained glass window of him praying might have looked like.
