St Mary's Church, Downe facts for kids

A view of St Mary's Church from the southwest.

St Mary's Church is a historic building in the village of Downe. Downe is now part of Bromley, but it used to be in Kent. This church is a Church of England Parish Church, serving the local community.

It is a very old building, first built in the 13th century. This means it's over 700 years old! It's so important that it's a Grade II* listed building. This special listing helps protect its history.

The church is named after either St Mary the Virgin or St Mary Magdalene. Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass. The oldest window shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd. It was made by an artist named Daniel Bell.

The Darwin Family's Connection to St Mary's

St Mary's Church has a special link to the famous scientist Charles Darwin. He was a naturalist who studied nature. Darwin lived nearby at Down House from 1842 until he passed away in 1882.

Charles Darwin and the Church

Charles Darwin was very involved in the church's work in the village. However, around 1849, he started taking walks on Sundays. His family would still go to church without him.

Darwin's wife, Emma Darwin, was a Unitarian. This was a different type of Christian belief. When the Anglican Trinitarian Creed was read in church, the Darwin family would turn away.

Darwin Family Burials

Many members of the Darwin family are buried in the churchyard. This is the area around the church.

Here are some of the family members buried there:

• Charles's brother, Erasmus Alvey Darwin, who died in 1881.
• Charles's wife, Emma Darwin, who passed away in 1896.
• Charles and Emma's children:
  • Mary Eleanor Darwin (died 1842).
  • Charlie (died 1858).
  • Elizabeth (died 1926).
  • Henrietta (died 1927).
• Charles and Emma's grandson, Bernard Darwin (died 1961).
• Bernard Darwin's wife, Elinor Monsell (died 1954).

Charles Darwin himself wanted to be buried here. However, he was instead buried in the famous Westminster Abbey. Emma Darwin's sister, Elizabeth Wedgwood, is also buried here. Charles and Emma's aunt, Sarah Wedgwood, rests here too.

St Mary's Church Today

The ancient yew tree in the churchyard is one of London's Great Trees.

Today, St Mary's Church follows the Conservative Evangelical tradition. This is a specific way of practicing the Church of England faith.

The churchyard is also home to a very old yew tree. This tree is so special that it is known as one of the Great Trees of London. It has stood there for many, many years.