St Mary's Church, Capel-le-Ferne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Capel-le-Ferne |
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St Mary's Church, Capel-le-Ferne, from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | TR 257 400 |
| Location | Capel-le-Ferne, Kent |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 22 August 1962 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Flint, tiled roofs |
St Mary's Church is an old Anglican church near the village of Capel-le-Ferne in Kent, England. It is no longer used for regular church services, but it is a very important historic building. The church is listed as a Grade I building, which means it is of exceptional interest. The Churches Conservation Trust now looks after it. You can find the church in a quiet spot next to Capel Church Farm, about 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Folkestone.
Church History
This church was first built in the 12th century, which is over 800 years ago! In the 13th century, some changes were made, and the tower was added. Later, in the 14th century, the beautiful screen that separates the main part of the church from the altar area (called the chancel) was built. The porch, which is like a covered entrance, was also added around this time.
Most of the windows you see today were put in during the 15th century. The church was repaired and updated in 1890. In 1986, it was decided that the church would no longer be used for regular worship. It was then given to the Churches Conservation Trust, who now protect and care for it.
What the Church Looks Like
St Mary's Church is built from flint, which is a type of stone, and its roofs are covered with tiles. The church has a main area called the nave, a chancel (the part near the altar), a porch on the south side, and a tower at the west end.
Outside the Church
The tower has two main levels. It has a door on the west side and strong supports called buttresses at its corners. There are also two decorative stone bands, called string courses, around the tower. The top of the tower has a simple, flat wall called a parapet.
On the north wall of the nave, you can see a small window from the 12th century. This window shows the old Norman architecture style. There's also the top part of a 14th-century window. However, most of the other windows in the church were added in the 15th century.
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you'll notice a stone screen from the 14th century that separates the nave from the chancel. This screen has three arched openings at the bottom, supported by eight-sided pillars. Above these arches, there are four stone brackets called corbels. These used to hold up a special screen called a rood screen, which had a large cross on it.
Above the arched openings, the screen has a unique large, round-headed opening. This opening was shaped to show the outline of the rood cross. This design is special because it's the only one of its kind in England!
In the chancel, on the east and north walls, there are more large, decorative corbels. You'll also find an aumbry, which is a small cupboard in the wall with a rounded top, and a simple sedilia, which is a stone seat for the clergy. There's also a piscina, a basin with a three-leaf shape, used for washing sacred vessels.
The baptismal font, where baptisms take place, has an eight-sided bowl on an eight-sided stand. If you look closely at the old Norman window on the north side, you might see some painted plant designs. The east window still has small pieces of colorful medieval stained glass.
You can also see some memorials inside. There's a special metal plaque called a monumental brass from 1526. There's also a white marble plaque on the wall for General Sir Charles William Dunbar Staveley, who passed away in 1896.
See Also
