St Mary the Virgin's Church, Cavendish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Cavendish |
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St Mary the Virgin's Church
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| 52°5′14.69″N 0°37′59.26″E / 52.0874139°N 0.6331278°E | |
| Location | Cavendish, Suffolk |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Cavendish |
| Deanery | Clare |
| Archdeaconry | Suffolk |
| Diocese | Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
St Mary the Virgin's Church in Cavendish, Suffolk, is a very old and important building. It is a parish church, which means it serves the local community. The church is also a Grade I listed site, which is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England. This means it's considered a building of exceptional interest and importance.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
The story of St Mary's Church goes way back! A church in Cavendish was even mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey of England made in 1086 by William the Conqueror.
Most of the church you see today was built between the years 1300 and 1485. Some parts, like the tower and the porch, are from around 1300, making them the oldest sections. Later, in 1350, the walls of the South aisle were made taller and new windows were added.
Who Helped Build the Church?
The building of the chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, was made possible by a gift from Sir John Cavendish in the 1380s. Sir John was an important person, and his son, also named John, was involved in a famous event called the Peasants' Revolt.
During this revolt in 1381, Sir John the father was sadly killed. He tried to find safety by holding onto the church door, but he was taken to Bury St. Edmunds and executed. His gift to St Mary's was a way to make up for this sad event. It's thought that the main part of the church, the nave, might have been designed by Reginald Ely, who also designed the famous King's College Chapel in Cambridge.
Exploring the Church: Outside and In
The outside of St Mary's Church is made of flint, a type of stone. You can see a stair turret above the roof, and the 14th-century tower has a special top part called a lantern.
Inside the Church: Special Features
When you go inside, you'll find many interesting things.
The Flemish Reredos
In the North aisle, there's a beautiful 16th-century reredos. A reredos is a decorative screen or panel behind an altar. This one is from Flanders (a region in modern-day Belgium) and shows a picture of the crucifixion. It's placed in a frame designed by Sir Ninian Comper, a famous architect.
Old Altars and Memorials
Long ago, before the 1530s, there was likely another altar in the church, perhaps for a special group or guild. There's a small opening called a squint that would have allowed the priest at this altar to see the main altar. Today, where that old altar might have been, there's a tomb for Sir George Colt, who passed away in 1570.
You'll also find a large round memorial in the South aisle dedicated to Sue Ryder and Leonard Cheshire. They were well-known for their important work helping people after World War II. The church has been updated in recent years to be a bright and comfortable place for worship.
The Church Organ
St Mary's Church has a pipe organ that was built in 1884 by Henry Jones and Sons. It has two keyboards, called manuals. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
The Church Bells
The church has six bells, each with its own history! Some were made by famous bell foundries like Whitechapel Bell Foundry and John Taylor & Co. Bells are often rung for church services and special events.
| Bell | Date | Note | Diameter | Founder | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| long measure | lb | kg | |||||
| Treble | 1779 | D# | 28.38 in (72.1 cm) | William Mears | 4 long cwt 2 qr 6 lb | 510 | 231 |
| 2nd | 1930 | C# | 29.38 in (74.6 cm) | John Taylor & Co | 5 long cwt 0 qr 4 lb | 564 | 256 |
| 3rd | 1779 | B | 32.88 in (83.5 cm) | William Mears | 6 long cwt 1 qr 14 lb | 714 | 324 |
| 4th | 1930 | A# | 33.88 in (86.1 cm) | John Taylor & Co | 7 long cwt 3 qr 0 lb | 868 | 394 |
| 5th | 1930 | G# | 36.25 in (92.1 cm) | John Taylor & Co | 8 long cwt 3 qr 24 lb | 1,004 | 455 |
| Tenor | 1869 | F# | 40.50 in (102.9 cm) | John Warner & Sons | 11 long cwt 0 qr 21 lb | 1,253 | 568 |
How the Church is Managed
St Mary's Church in Cavendish is part of a larger group called the Stour Valley Team Ministry. This means it works together with other churches in the area. These include:
- St Peter and St Paul's Church, Clare
- St Mary's Church, Poslingford
- St John the Baptist's Church, Stoke-by-Clare
- St Leonard's Church, Wixoe
- All Saints Church, Hundon
