St Mary Magdalene Church, Gedney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary Magdalene Church |
|
|---|---|
View from Church End
|
|
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Mary Magdalene |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lincoln |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary Magdalene Church is an Anglican church in Gedney, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the Middle Ages. Because it is so big and stands out in the flat landscape, people often call it the Cathedral of the Fens. It is a special building, listed as Grade I, which means it is very important and protected.
The church is named after St Mary Magdalene. Its first parts were built in the 1200s. More parts were added and changed over many years, up until the 1600s. In 1890, the church was fixed up a lot. However, the tall, pointed top part of the tower, called a spire, was never finished.
About the Church Building
The church tower is 86 feet tall up to its top edge. The lower parts of the tower were built in an early English style. The upper parts were built in a later style called Perpendicular. Inside the church, the arches in the main area (the nave) and the special area near the altar (the chancel) are in a style called Decorated.
Discoveries Inside
When the south side aisle was rebuilt in 1890, workers found a special metal picture, called a brass, of a woman from around 1390. A small puppy was shown at her feet. Also in the south aisle is a damaged stone statue from the 1200s. It shows a knight with his legs crossed. People think it might be a knight named Falco D'Oyry. You can also see beautiful stone monuments from 1605. These show Adlard Welby, his wife Cassandra, and their five children.
The south entrance of the church has a room above it. At the far end of the north aisle, you can still see parts of a special stained-glass window from the 1300s. This window is called a Jesse window.
Churchyard and History
The churchyard is the area around the church. Here, you can find the grave of a soldier from the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. He died during the First World War. This grave is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Damage to the Church
In 2006, some parts of the church were damaged. Many windows were broken, including the old Jesse window. Some church clothes and an altar cloth were also set on fire. Luckily, the fire did not spread and cause more harm. People who were responsible for the damage later admitted what they had done.
