St Mary the Virgin, Banham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin, Banham |
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St Mary the Virgin, Banham
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| 52°27′11″N 1°02′07″E / 52.45295°N 1.03526°E | |
| Location | Banham |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
The St Mary the Virgin Church in Banham is a very old and special church located in the village of Banham, Norfolk, England. It is a Church of England parish church, which means it serves the local community. This church is so important that it has been given a special heritage status called 'Grade I listed'.
Discovering St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church is a beautiful example of old English architecture. It has stood for many centuries, watching over the village of Banham. People still use it today for services and community events.
What is a Grade I Listed Building?
When a building is 'Grade I listed', it means it's considered one of the most important historic buildings in England. It's protected by law so that future generations can enjoy its history and beauty. Only about 2.5% of all listed buildings in England are Grade I, making St Mary's Church very special.
Building Materials: Flint and Freestone
The church was built using materials that were available a long time ago. The main material is natural flint, which is a type of stone found in the area. Flint is very hard and was commonly used for building in Norfolk.
For important parts like windows and frames, a different stone called freestone was used. Freestone is a type of stone that can be cut easily in any direction. It was harder to get because it had to be brought from quarries far away in Northamptonshire. This made it more expensive and used sparingly.
