St Mary the Virgin's Church, Bathwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin's Church |
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| 51°23′3″N 2°21′4″W / 51.38417°N 2.35111°W | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a historic church in Bath, Somerset, England. You can find it on Darlington Street in the Bathwick area. This church belongs to the Church of England. It is located close to Sydney Place and the famous Sydney Pleasure Gardens.
The Pulteney family built this church. It replaced an older church called Bathwick Old Church. The churchyard of the old church is now part of Smallcombe Cemetery. A fun fact: the band Muse recorded organ parts for their album Origin of Symmetry here!
Contents
How the Church Was Built
Why a New Church Was Needed
In the late 1700s, William Pulteney owned land across the River Avon. He built a bridge over the river in 1774. This bridge helped people move into the Bathwick area. As more people came, the population grew. Soon, the community needed a new church.
Starting Construction
A group was formed in 1810 to plan the new church. William Vane, Earl of Darlington, helped by providing land. John Pinch was chosen to design the building. The first stone was laid in September 1814. This happened during a peaceful time after the Napoleonic Wars. The stone mentioned this peace and the end of Napoleon's rule.
Completing the Church
After the new church began, the old Bathwick Old Church was taken down in 1818. On February 4, 1820, the Church of St Mary the Virgin was officially opened. It became the main church for the Bathwick area.
What the Church Looks Like
The church was designed by John Pinch between 1814 and 1820. Later, the chancel (the area around the altar) was updated by G.E. Street from 1873 to 1875. The church was meant to look like the old Gothic churches in Somerset. It has a tall tower at the west end. This tower has a fancy top and pointed decorations.
Inside, there is a main area called the nave and side aisles. The windows are tall and thin. The church has three galleries, which are like balconies. The ceiling is curved and ribbed.
Art and Special Items
- Painting on the Altar: There is an old painting from the early 1500s. It is a polyptych, which means it has several panels. It shows four winds and comes from the Netherlands.
- Original Altar Painting: The first painting for the altar is also in the church. It is called an "Adoration of the Child" by Benjamin Barker. You can see it high up on the west wall.
- Church Plate: The church has special silver items used for services. These include a cup and cover from 1572 and a plate from 1723.
Music at St Mary's
The church has a special organ built by Father Henry Willis. It is the only one of its kind in Bath. Music has been important at St Mary's for a long time. In the late 1800s, a robed choir was started.
For many years, the church choir was very well-known. In the 1970s and 1980s, it became hard to find enough boy singers. So, the choir became all adults. In the 1990s and 2000s, the choir became famous again. They went on tours in the UK and other countries. They also performed on radio and television.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
