St Mary's Perivale facts for kids
St Mary's is a very old building in Perivale, a part of London. It was built around the 12th or 13th century, which means it's over 800 years old! This building used to be a church, named after St Mary. It was once the smallest Anglican church in the old county of Middlesex.
St Mary's: A Church with a New Purpose
For many years, St Mary's served as a local church. However, a very busy road, the A40, was built nearby. This road made it hard for people to reach the church. Because of this, the church stopped being a regular place of worship in 1972.
But the story of St Mary's didn't end there! A group of local people formed a charity called the "Friends of St Mary." They decided to take care of the old church. Now, St Mary's is a lively arts centre. It hosts local art shows and concerts of classical music.
A Look Inside and Out
The church building is made from strong materials like rag-stone and flint. These are types of stone that have been used for building for a very long time. The tower of St Mary's is quite special. It's covered in white wooden boards called weatherboarding. This makes it look different from many other old church towers.
Inside the tower, there are three bells. These bells were made in 1949. They serve as a special memorial for the people from the community who lost their lives in World War II. It's a way to remember their bravery and sacrifice.
In 1950, St Mary's Church was given a "Grade I listed" status. This means it's considered a very important historical building. It is protected because of its special architecture and history.
See also
- Elthorne Hundred: This shows a map of the parishes, including Perivale, before they were changed.
