St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland |
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St Mary's Church, Stoke-by-Nayland
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| 51°59′22.01″N 0°53′28.77″E / 51.9894472°N 0.8913250°E | |
| Location | Stoke-by-Nayland |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 168 feet (51 m) |
| Height | 126 feet (38 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Stoke-by-Nayland |
| Deanery | Hadleigh |
| Archdeaconry | Ipswich |
| Diocese | Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
St Mary's Church is a very old and important church located in Stoke-by-Nayland, England. It is part of the Church of England and is so special that it has a "Grade I listed" status. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural interest.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Church History
The oldest parts of St Mary's Church were built a long, long time ago, either in the late 1200s or early 1300s. These include the south porch, a special area called St Edmund's Chapel (built around 1318), and some of the walls along the sides. Most of the church was rebuilt in the 1400s, making it even grander.
One of the most interesting parts is the south porch. It has a cool arched roof with fancy carved decorations called bosses. There's even a secret room above it where a priest might have stayed! The main south door is also amazing. It's carved with a "Jesse tree," which shows figures, birds, and insects.
The church has a very tall tower, reaching about 126 feet (38 meters) high to the very top. Imagine how high that is!
Special Memorials
Inside the church, you can find some old brass plaques from the 1400s. These were often placed to remember important people. There's also a large wall monument dedicated to Sir Francis Mannock, who passed away in 1634.
Church Community
St Mary's Church is part of a group of churches in the area. This group includes:
- St Matthew's Church, Leavenheath
- St Mary's Church, Polstead
The Church Organ
St Mary's Church has a large pipe organ. This type of organ uses air blown through many pipes to make music. The first parts of this organ were made around 1834. Over the years, different companies have worked on it, making it even better. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register if you're interested in how it works!
The Church Bells
The church tower holds 8 large bells! The heaviest bell, called the tenor, weighs about 22 hundredweight (which is a lot!). These bells have been made by different founders over many centuries. Some are very old, with one bell dating back to around 1380 and another from about 1499. Imagine the history these bells have seen! They ring out over the village, calling people to worship and marking special occasions.
