St Mary's Church, Old Amersham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| Parish Church of Amersham | |
View of the church from the south.
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 St Mary's Church
Location in Buckinghamshire
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| 51°40′01″N 0°36′58″W / 51.6670°N 0.6161°W | |
| OS grid reference | SU9569797427 |
| Location | Amersham, Buckinghamshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 1140 |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Style | English Gothic |
| Years built | 13th, 14th centuries |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Amersham |
| Benefice | Amersham |
| Deanery | Amersham |
| Archdeaconry | Buckingham |
| Diocese | Oxford |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary's Church is an old and important Church of England church in Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England. It is a very special building, listed as Grade I, which means it has great historical importance.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
People have worshipped at the site of St Mary's Church for many centuries. Early Christian missionaries, like St Augustine and St Birinus, traveled along the Roman Road called Akeman Street. They taught local people about Christianity and baptized them in the River Misbourne. A place of worship has been here since about 1140 A.D.
The church building you see today was mostly built in the 1200s. More parts were added in the 1300s and 1400s, making the church larger.
Important Events and People
This area has a sad history connected to a group called the Lollards. In the early 1500s, some local people faced harsh punishment for their beliefs on a nearby hill. A memorial was placed there in 1931 to remember them.
In 1553, a Scottish religious leader named John Knox gave his last sermon in Amersham. He then went into exile to escape Queen Mary.
The Drake family has been very important to the church for a long time. They were the Lords of the Manor of Amersham and are related to Sir Francis Drake. Around 1637, Sir William Drake bought the area of Amersham. There are many memorials to members of the Drake family inside St Mary's Church.
Some members of the Drake family have also served as rectors (head priests) of the church. One of them, Rev. Edward Drake, led a big restoration project in 1890. The church's outside appearance today largely comes from this time.
The bells in the church tower are still rung regularly. On December 22, 1958, the church was officially recognized as a grade I listed building.
St Mary's Church Today
St Mary's Church is part of the Church of England parish of Amersham. It belongs to the Archdeaconry of Buckingham within the Diocese of Oxford.
Notable Burials
In 2024, the funeral of Liam Payne was held at St Mary's Church. He was a former member of the famous boyband One Direction. Liam Payne had lived nearby in Chalfont St Giles.
Gallery
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View of the church from the southwest.
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View of the gardens to the south of the church.
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The church tower from Church Street.
See also
- Amersham Museum, also in Old Amersham
