St Mary and St John Church, Hinxton facts for kids
St Mary and St John Church is a historic Church of England parish church located in the small village of Hinxton, which is in Cambridgeshire, England. This beautiful church has stood for many centuries and is an important part of the local community.
About the Church
St Mary and St John Church is a very old building, made from flint and rubble stone. It was built in a style called "Early English," which was popular around the 1200s. The church has several main parts:
- The chancel: This is the area around the altar, where the priest leads the service.
- The nave: This is the main part of the church where the congregation (people attending) sit.
- The south aisle and south chapel: These are side sections of the church.
- The south porch: This is the entrance area.
- A western tower: This tower has a lead-covered spire at the top. Inside the tower, there is a clock and two bells. These bells were first put in place in 1903.
A Look Inside
The oldest parts of the church, the chancel and nave, were built around the year 1200. The south aisle and chapel were added later, in the 1300s. The south chapel was built because of a gift from a person named Thomas Skelton. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) who lived a long time ago. His memorial, which is a special monument to remember him, is still inside the church today. Other parts of the church were built or changed between the 1400s and the 1800s.
A Long History
The first time a church was mentioned on this spot was in 1092. At that time, a local sheriff (a type of law enforcement officer) named Picot of Cambridge gave the church to a religious community. This community later became known as Barnwell Priory in Cambridge.
The church building is very special and is officially recognized as a "Grade II* listed building." This means it is a particularly important historical building that needs to be protected.
Changes Over Time
In 1930, the vicarage (the house where the vicar, or priest, lives) for Hinxton was combined with the vicarage of the nearby village of Ickleton. However, many local people were not happy about this decision. Because of their strong feelings, the decision was changed in 1955, and the vicarage became separate again.
Since 1558, the right to choose the priest for St Mary and St John Church has belonged to Jesus College, Cambridge. This right is called an "advowson." Today, St Mary and St John Church is part of a group of churches that share a priest. This group is called a "combined benefice." The other churches in this group are St Peter's Church in Duxford and St Mary Magdalene Church in Ickleton.
