St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge facts for kids
St Mary's Church is a very old church located in Fordingbridge, a town in Hampshire, England. It was built between the 1100s and 1200s. This church is a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site. It was also repaired and updated in the 1800s.
Contents
Church History: How it Changed Over Time
Early Beginnings and Norman Building
A church in Fordingbridge was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. This was a famous survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. Around 1150, the church was rebuilt by the Normans. At that time, the inside of the church would have been one large, open space.
Adding New Parts to the Church
Around 1230, new sections were added to the church. These included the north chapel and the north and south aisles. Aisles are the side parts of a church, usually separated from the main area by columns.
About 100 years later, more changes happened. A clerestory was added, which is a high section of wall with windows above the main roof. The church tower was also made taller. Today, this tower holds eight large bells and a smaller Sanctus bell. The north chapel was also made bigger.
Roof and Royal Gifts
The chapel has a special roof made of chestnut wood. It looks like a hammerbeam roof, which is a fancy type of roof that makes the space feel open. However, it's actually a simpler design called a tie beam truss roof.
In 1447, King Henry VI gave the lands in Fordingbridge and the church's advowson to King's College, Cambridge. An advowson means the right to choose the priest for the church.
Changes Inside and Out
The outside of the church has not changed much since the 1500s. Originally, the flint stone walls would have been covered with plaster. This was similar to a nearby church, St Mary in Breamore.
Inside, the church looks much like it did after a big renovation in 1840. An organ was added in 1887, and a reredos was put in behind the altar in 1920. A reredos is a decorative screen or wall covering. The church was also restored again between 1901 and 1903. This work was led by Charles Ponting.
Modern Updates
The church once had a "three-decker" pulpit, which was a very tall pulpit with different levels. This has since been removed. In recent years, the old Victorian pews were replaced with chairs. This makes it easier to use the church space for different activities.
In 2000, a new window was created in the south aisle. This window celebrates the new millennium. Also, two of the church bells were sent to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. They were recast, meaning melted down and reshaped, and then re-tuned to sound perfect.
Vicarages: Homes for Priests
There are two old homes for priests, called vicarages, still standing in Fordingbridge. One is a large building from 1817, located across from the church's west side. It has now been turned into apartments. The other is a more modern building across from the church's south side. This is the current vicarage.
Churchyard: A Place of Rest
The churchyard is the burial ground around the church. It has a monument for the safe-making family of Chubb. There is also a memorial for James Alexander Seton. He was the last British man killed in a duel in England.
In 1896, St Mary's churchyard was closed for burials. All other town burial sites, except a new Catholic one, were also closed. A new cemetery was opened at Stuckton Road. In modern times, the churchyard has been cleared to make it easier to maintain. Many of the old gravestones now form the path from the lichgate to the north porch. Records from 1730 can help figure out where some of the worn stones originally were.
Church Services and Events
The church choir usually sings every Sunday. They help with services like the Family Communion. A traditional Evensong service is held on the third and fourth Sunday evenings each month. The church also has an annual Patronal Festival. This special event takes place on the first weekend in July.
