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St Mary's Church, Chadwell St Mary facts for kids

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Church of St Mary
St Mary 's Chadwell St Mary - geograph.org.uk - 42310.jpg
51°28′53″N 0°22′10″E / 51.4815°N 0.3695°E / 51.4815; 0.3695
Location Linford Road/Chadwell Hill, Chadwell St Mary, Essex, RM16 4DJ
Country England
Denomination Church of England
Previous denomination Roman Catholic Church
Churchmanship Evangelical
History
Status Active
Architecture
Functional status Parish church
Heritage designation Grade I listed
Designated 8 February 1960
Administration
Parish Chadwell
Deanery Thurrock
Archdeaconry Archdeaconry of Southend
Episcopal area Bradwell Episcopal Area
Diocese Diocese of Chelmsford

The Church of St Mary is a special church in Chadwell St Mary, Essex, England. It is a Church of England parish church, which means it serves the local community. This church is also a Grade I listed building, which is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England. This shows how important and old it is! The Church of St Mary works together with Emmanuel Church to form the Parish of Chadwell St Mary. They are part of the Diocese of Chelmsford.

The History of St Mary's Church

The Church of St Mary has a very long and interesting history. It was named after the Virgin Mary, which is why "St Mary" is part of its name today. This church stands at a crossroads, looking out over the marshlands.

How Old is the Church of St Mary?

There was a church in Chadwell even before the Norman conquest in 1066. The church you see today has many parts that were built during the Norman period, around the 12th century. This makes it over 800 years old! The tall tower was added much later, in the early 1500s.

Special Features Inside the Church

Inside the church, you can find an old memorial brass. This is a special metal plaque that remembers Cicilye Owen, who passed away in 1603. She was the wife of Thomas Owen, a merchant from London. The church also has a newer part, an extension on the south side, which was built in the early 1900s.

St Mary's Church Today

On February 8, 1960, St Mary's Church was officially named a Grade I listed building. This means it is considered a very important historical site. The church follows the Evangelical tradition within the Church of England.

Important Memorials and Graves

The churchyard of St Mary's holds several interesting memorials and gravestones. These tell stories of people who lived in Chadwell St Mary or had a connection to the area.

War Memorials at St Mary's

On the north side of the church, there is a special war memorial. It remembers eight people from Chadwell who bravely gave their lives during World War I. Later, in 2006, five more names were added to this memorial. These were people who died during World War II.

The Gravestone of Elizabeth Manning

Near the church, you can find the gravestone of Elizabeth Manning. She passed away in 1805. After she died, her will (a document about her wishes for her belongings) was challenged in court. This led to a very important legal decision that has been used in many court cases since then.

A Japanese Naval Officer's Grave

Among the other stones in the churchyard, there is a unique memorial for Kadzuo Yamazaki. He was a 22-year-old Japanese naval officer. He died on July 13, 1899, in a fire on a ship called the SS Kawachi Maru. The ship was in Tilbury docks at the time. His gravestone has writing in both English and Japanese.

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