St Mary the Virgin, Iffley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin, Iffley |
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| Church of St Mary the Virgin | |
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| OS grid reference | SP 52714 03456 |
| Location | Iffley, Oxfordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | Saint Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish Church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Style | Romanesque |
| Years built | c.1160–1230 |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 6 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Cowley |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Oxford |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Iffley is a special Church of England parish church. It is located in the village of Iffley, which is now a part of the city of Oxford in England.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
Building the Church
This church was built around the year 1160. It was constructed in the Romanesque style. This style is known for its thick walls, round arches, and strong, simple shapes. The St Remy family likely built it. They probably got money from the de Clintons of Kenilworth Castle to help pay for it.
Later Additions and Features
Around 1230, the church was made a bit bigger. The east end was extended in an Early Gothic style. At this time, a small room called a "cell" was built on the south side. This cell was for a woman named Annora, who was an anchoress. An anchoress was someone who chose to live a very quiet, solitary life for religious reasons.
The church has not changed much over many centuries. It still has its original round-arched windows and doorways. This means you can see a lot of its old history just by looking at it.
Important Status and Art
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed building. This means it is considered a very important historical building in England. It is protected because of its special architecture and history.
Inside the church, you can find beautiful stained glass windows. One of these was made by a famous 20th-century artist named John Piper. Another window was created by the artist Roger Wagner. These windows add to the church's beauty and history.
See also
