St Mary's Church, Redbourn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary’s Church, Redbourn |
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St Mary’s Church, Redbourn
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 St Mary’s Church, Redbourn
Location in Hertfordshire
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| 51°47′32″N 0°24′24″W / 51.792251°N 0.406746°W | |
| Location | Redbourn |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Redbourn |
| Deanery | Wheathamstead |
| Archdeaconry | St Albans |
| Diocese | Diocese of St Albans |
St Mary's Church is a very old and important church located in Redbourn, Hertfordshire, England. It is still used today for services and community events. This church is part of the Church of England.
St Mary's Church is a special building because it has a "Grade I listed" status. This means it is considered one of the most important historic buildings in England. It is protected so that future generations can enjoy its beauty and history.
Contents
Discovering St Mary's Church History
St Mary's Church has a long and interesting past. The oldest parts of the church were built way back in the 12th century. Imagine, that's over 800 years ago!
How the Church Grew Over Time
The very first parts of the church were the main body, called the nave, and the tall west tower. Around 1140, a side section known as the north aisle was added. Later, in 1340, the chancel was built. This is the part of the church where the altar is usually found.
In the mid-14th century, another side section, the south aisle, was constructed. Between 1444 and 1455, a small south chapel and a porch were added. The clerestory was built around 1478. This is a row of windows high up on the church walls, letting in more light.
The Beautiful East Window
The large window at the east end of the church is very special. It was put in place in 1886. This window was a gift to remember Reverend W. Serocold Wade. It was designed by someone who was once the Mayor of London and Munich.
Remembering People: Church Memorials
Inside St Mary's Church, you can find special memorials. These are like plaques or monuments that remember people who were important to the church or the local area.
- Sir Richard Reade (who passed away in 1576)
- Richard Peacock (who passed away in 1512)
- Eignon Bignon and his wife (from 1717)
The Church Organ: A Musical Journey
St Mary's Church has a wonderful pipe organ. This musical instrument creates sound using air blown through pipes.
The Organ's History and Upgrades
The organ was first built in 1888 by a company called Forster and Andrews. Over the years, it has been updated and rebuilt several times. Roy Huntingford rebuilt it in 1932. Later, Arnold, Williamson and Hyatt worked on it in 1961. The most recent restoration happened in 2005, done by Vincent Woodstock.
You can find out more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register. This is a special list that keeps track of organs across the country.
