St Mary's Church, Hendon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Hendon |
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St Mary's Church viewed from Church End
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| Location | Church House, 49 Church End, Hendon, London NW4 4JT |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | in 1080 or before |
| Founder(s) | unknown |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Architect(s) | various |
| Style | English Gothic |
| Years built | 1080, and two main further building phases |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Mary and Christ Church, Hendon |
| Deanery | Barnet |
| Archdeaconry | Hampstead |
| Episcopal area | Edmonton |
| Diocese | London |
St Mary's Church is a very old Church of England church in Hendon, a part of London. It is the oldest parish church in the area. St Mary's and Christ Church, Brent Street, work together as one parish within the Diocese of London.
Contents
A Look at St Mary's Church History
How Old Is This Church?
St Mary's Church might be even older than we think! Some clues suggest it could date back to Anglo-Saxon England. A very old record from 959 mentions that Westminster Abbey owned the church's land. Also, a priest was noted in the Domesday Book in 1086. This strongly suggests a church was already there.
Archaeologists have even found Anglo-Saxon burials nearby. The first clear date for a church building is around 1080. A special Norman font, used for baptisms, from that time is still in use today.
Building Through the Centuries
The church has been built and rebuilt many times over hundreds of years. In the 1200s, parts like the main hall (nave), a small chapel, and side areas were added. You can still see hints of old paintings on the walls from this time.
Later, in the 1400s and 1500s, more changes happened. The church's tower and other sections were rebuilt during these years.
Modern Additions and Recognition
In 1914 and 1915, the church was made bigger. A famous architect named Temple Lushington Moore designed a larger nave. His work was highly praised by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, a well-known critic. Pevsner said Moore's design improved the church by adding new parts while respecting the old ones.
Since 1950, St Mary's Church has been a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical building and is protected by law.
Important People and Nature in the Churchyard
Famous Burials and Memorials
One of the most important memorials inside the church is for Sir Stamford Raffles. He was the person who founded Singapore! Sir Stamford Raffles lived nearby and was buried at St Mary's Church in 1826.
The churchyard, which is the area around the church, is also special. It's recognized as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. This means it's a valuable place for local wildlife and plants. It's connected to the nearby Sunny Hill Park.
You can also find the grave of Herbert Chapman here. He was a very famous manager for Arsenal Football Club before World War II.
Remembering War Heroes
The churchyard also has memorials for twenty people who served in the Commonwealth forces. Eleven of them were from World War I and nine from World War II. Many of these people have special memorials because their exact graves could not be found.
St Mary's Church Today
Today, the parish of St Mary's and Christ Church is led by a vicar and a curate. They help run the church and serve the local community.
See also
- St Mary's Churchyard, Hendon
- List of church restorations and alterations by Temple Moore
