St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin |
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Steeple of St Mary the Virgin
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| Country | England, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | Official website: http://www.stmaryssaffronwalden.org/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 1951 |
| Style | Perpendicular |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 183ft (56m) |
| Height | 193ft (59m) |
| Bells | 12 |
| Tenor bell weight | 22-2-24 (1154kg) in D |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Saffron Walden |
| Diocese | Chelmsford |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary the Virgin is a very old and important church in Saffron Walden, Essex, England. It is the main church for the local area, known as the parish church. This amazing building is the biggest church in Essex that isn't a cathedral. It stretches about 56 meters (183 feet) long. Its tall spire reaches 59 meters (193 feet) into the sky, making it the tallest in Essex! Because it's so special, it was given a "Grade I listed building" status in 1951. This means it's a building of exceptional historical and architectural interest.
Contents
A Long History of St Mary's
How the Church Began
The story of St Mary's Church goes back a very long time. Records show that a church built in the Norman style was standing here in 1130. This Norman church had replaced an even older building made of wood.
Building the Church We See Today
Most of the church you see now was built between 1250 and 1258. Later, around 1450, a big rebuilding project started. This was done in a style called "Perpendicular Gothic." A famous builder named John Wastell helped with the later parts of this project. He was also working on the famous King's College Chapel in Cambridge at the same time.
Changes Over Time
The church has faced challenges and changes throughout its history. In 1769, lightning struck the church, causing damage. Repairs were done in the 1790s. These repairs helped save the building, which was in poor condition, but some older medieval features were removed.
The tall spire that makes the church so noticeable was added much later, in 1832. It replaced an older, shorter tower. The design for this new spire came from architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson.
People Connected to St Mary's
A Family's Beginning
A person named Thomas Cornell was baptized in this church around 1592. He later became a very important figure in American history, as he was the ancestor of a large family in America.
A Famous Politician's Resting Place
The churchyard of St Mary's is the final resting place of a well-known British politician, Rab Butler (1902–1982). He was a member of the Conservative Party. One of his most important achievements was helping to create the Education Act 1944. This law made big changes to education in England and Wales, aiming to provide better schooling for all children.
