St Mary's Church, Woburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary’s Church, Woburn |
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St Mary’s Church, Woburn
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| 51°59′23.03″N 0°37′2.76″W / 51.9897306°N 0.6174333°W | |
| Location | Park Street, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9PG |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | woburnparishchurch.org.uk |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | 8th Duke of Bedford |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Consecrated | 23 September 1868 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Architect(s) | Henry Clutton |
| Construction cost | £30,000 (equivalent to £1,930,000 in 2021) . |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 148 feet (45 m) |
| Nave width | 64 feet (20 m) |
| Height | 61 feet (19 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Woburn |
| Deanery | Ampthill and Shefford |
| Archdeaconry | Bedford |
| Diocese | St Albans |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary's Church, Woburn is a beautiful old church located in Woburn, Bedfordshire. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historical building in England. It belongs to the Church of England.
Contents
The Church's Story
How St Mary's Church Was Built
The church you see today on Park Street in Woburn was built between 1865 and 1868. A famous architect named Henry Clutton designed it. The money for building the church came from William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford.
This new church replaced an older one in the town. Most of the old church was taken down when the new one was ready. Only its tower was kept.
The Giant Bell
The tower of the new church had a really big bell! People said it was the largest bell in any parish church at that time. It weighed about 55 hundredweight, which is around 6,160 pounds (2,794 kg). This huge bell was made in London by a company called Mears and Stainbank.
The Spire and Its Changes
When the church first opened, its tower had a tall spire on top. This spire reached a height of 181 feet (55 meters). At the very top of the spire was a copper cross, making the total height about 195 feet (59 meters).
However, there were some problems with the spire's structure. Because of this, the spire had to be removed in 1890.
When the Church Opened
St Mary's Church was officially opened and made sacred on September 23, 1868. The ceremony was led by the Right Reverend Harold Browne, who was the Bishop of Ely at the time.
The East Window
In 1894, a special stained-glass window was put in the east part of the church. This window was a memorial to George Russell, 10th Duke of Bedford. It was created by a well-known artist named Charles Eamer Kempe.
The Organ
The church has a musical instrument called an organ. The first organ was put in the church in 1868 by T.J. Robson. Later, in 1904, a new and different organ was installed. This newer organ was made by a company called Norman and Beard. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
