St Mary's Church, Hadleigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary, Hadleigh |
|
|---|---|
Church of St Mary, Hadleigh
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Hadleigh, Suffolk |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | http://www.stmaryshadleigh.co.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | c. 878–890 |
| Founder(s) | Guthrum (reputed) |
| Dedication | Saint Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 26 April 1950 |
| Architectural type | Norman |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Tenor bell weight | 22 long cwt 1 qr 17 lb (2,509 lb or 1,138 kg) |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Hadleigh |
| Archdeaconry | Ipswich |
| Diocese | St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary's is an old and beautiful church in Hadleigh, Suffolk. It belongs to the Anglican faith, which is part of the Church of England. This church is still used today for services and community events. It's a very important building because some parts of it are from medieval times, which means it's hundreds of years old! Because of its history and beauty, it's officially called a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.
Contents
History and Design of St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church has a long and interesting past. The oldest parts of the church, like its tall tower, were built a very long time ago. These sections date back to the late 1200s or early 1300s. The side areas, called aisles, were also added around the 1300s.
Changes Over the Centuries
Most of the church was changed and updated in the 1400s. During this time, the arcades inside the church were rebuilt. An arcade is a row of arches supported by columns. Also, new parts were added, like the clerestory, which is the upper part of the nave with windows. A south porch and a northeast vestry were also built. A vestry is a room used by the clergy, like priests.
At this time, almost all the windows in the church were replaced. Only the tower kept its original windows. Later, in the 1800s and early 1900s, the church was fixed up and restored many times.
What the Church is Made Of
The church is built from a material called flint rubble. This means it's made from rough, broken pieces of flint stone. It also has special stone decorations. The roofs and the spire, which is the pointy top of the tower, are covered with lead.
The church has a main area called the nave, with aisles on either side. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar. There's a tower at the west end and a two-story south porch. A north vestry is also part of the building.
Why St Mary's is Special
On April 26, 1950, St Mary's Church was officially named a Grade I listed building. This is a very high honor for a historic building. Historic England, the group that protects historic places, listed it for a few main reasons. They noted its large size, the excellent quality of its late-medieval design, and its beautiful interior.
