St Mary's Church, Mendlesham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin, Mendlesham |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 52°14′59″N 1°4′59″E / 52.24972°N 1.08306°E | |
| Location | Church Road, Mendlesham, Suffolk, IP14 5SF |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Churchmanship | Traditional Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 29 July 1955 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Mendlesham |
| Deanery | Stowmarket |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Ipswich |
| Diocese | Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a special church in Mendlesham, Suffolk, England. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This church is also a very important historical building. It is known as a grade I listed building. This means it is protected because of its history and beautiful design.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
How Old Is It?
This church is very old! Some parts of it were built way back in the Middle Ages. For example, the side passages, called aisles, have doorways from the 1200s. The main area around the altar, called the chancel, was built in the 1300s. And the tall, square tower was added in the 1400s.
Keeping It Beautiful
Later, between 1864 and 1866, the church was carefully repaired and updated. This kind of work is often called a 'Victorian restoration'. It happened during Queen Victoria's time. On July 29, 1955, the church was officially recognized as a grade I listed building. This shows how important it is.
The Church Today
Where It Belongs
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a parish church. This means it serves the local community of Mendlesham. It is part of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. A diocese is like a large area managed by a bishop.
Its Special Traditions
This church follows a specific set of traditions within the Church of England. This is called the Traditional Anglo-Catholic way. It means they have practices that are similar to older Christian traditions.
Because of some of its beliefs, this church has a special arrangement. It receives guidance from a different bishop. This is called 'alternative episcopal oversight'. Currently, the Bishop of Richborough, Norman Banks, provides this guidance.
