St Mary & St Hugh, Old Harlow facts for kids

St Mary & St Hugh, Old Harlow
St Mary's & St Hugh's Church
51°46′56″N 0°08′53″E / 51.78229°N 0.14809°E / 51.78229; 0.14809
Denomination	Church of England
Website	St Mary's Church
History
Dedication	Saint Mary and Saint Hugh
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	05 July 1950
Architectural type	Church
Administration
Parish	Harlow
Deanery	Harlow
Archdeaconry	Harlow
Diocese	Chelmsford
Province	Canterbury

St Mary & St Hugh's Church is a special Church of England church. You can find it on Churchgate Street in Old Harlow, Essex, England. It's a place where people gather for worship and community events.

A Look at St Mary & St Hugh's Church

This church is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. This means it has stood for hundreds of years! On July 5, 1950, it was given a special "Grade II listed" status. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.

What Does the Church Look Like?

The church has a unique shape called a "cruciform plan." This means it's built in the shape of a cross. At the center, where the arms of the cross meet, there's a tall tower. On top of the tower, you'll see a pointed roof called a "broach spire." This spire is covered with wooden tiles, which are called shingles.

Restoring a Historic Building

Over time, old buildings need care. Between 1878 and 1880, the church was completely "restored." This means it was carefully repaired and brought back to its best condition. A famous architect named Henry Woodyer led this important work. Thanks to his efforts, the church continues to be a beautiful and important part of Old Harlow today.