St Mary's Church, Ware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Ware |
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| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Specifications | |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Number of spires | 1 (Hertfordshire spike) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | St Albans (since 1877) |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary's Church is a very old and important parish church in the town of Ware, in Hertfordshire, England. It is a grade I listed building, which means it is officially recognized as a building of special historical interest.
Contents
The Long History of St Mary's Church
A church has stood on this spot for almost a thousand years, since the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The famous Domesday Book, a huge survey of England created in 1086, even mentions that a priest lived in Ware. This tells us a church was already here during the reign of King William the Conqueror.
Building Through the Centuries
The oldest part of the church you can see today is the chancel (the area around the altar). It was built in the 1200s. Back then, the church was used by both the townspeople and the monks from a nearby priory.
In the 1390s, the church was made much bigger. New aisles were added on the sides, and clerestories (rows of windows high up on the walls) were built to let in more light. If you look closely at the stone carvings, you can see badges and symbols related to Joan of Kent, who was a princess at the time.
The beautiful octagonal font, where baptisms take place, was also made during this period. It has detailed carvings of saints and even a carving of the head of King Richard II.
Much later, in the 1800s, the church was carefully repaired and restored by an architect named George Godwin.
Architectural Features
The outside of St Mary's Church is covered in flint, a type of hard, grey stone found locally. This gives the building a unique and historic look.
One of the church's most famous features is its spire. It is a short, pointy spire known as a "Hertfordshire spike". This special design is a landmark of the region.
Famous People Linked to the Church
Over the centuries, many interesting people have been connected with St Mary's Church.
- Charles Chauncy was a vicar (a type of priest) at the church during the 1600s. He later moved to America and became the second President of Harvard College, which is now Harvard University.
- The Fanshawe Family was a very important family in Ware during the 1500s and 1600s. Several members are buried in the church.
- Thomas Fanshawe (1533-1601) was a powerful government official who worked for the queen.
- Katherine Ferrers (1634-1660) was the wife of Thomas Fanshawe's grandson. She is famous for the legend of the "Wicked Lady," a story about a noblewoman who secretly became a robber on horseback.
- Sir Richard Fanshawe (1608-1666) was a respected politician, writer, and translator. He served King Charles II as an ambassador to Spain.
