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's the biggest church in Essex that isn't a cathedral! The church is 183 feet (56 m) long, and its tall spire reaches 193 feet (59 m) into the sky, making it the tallest spire in Essex. Because of its history and beauty, it was named a Grade I listed building in 1951. This means it's a very special historic building that needs to be protected.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
The story of St Mary's Church goes back a long time. Records show there was a Norman church here in 1130. This Norman church had actually 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, the church was rebuilt again in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This style is known for its tall windows and detailed stone work. A famous builder named John Wastell helped with the later parts of this project. He was also working on the amazing King's College Chapel in Cambridge at the same time.
Repairs and Changes Over Time
In 1769, the church was hit by lightning, which caused some damage. Repairs were done in the 1790s. During these repairs, some older medieval parts of the church were removed, but these changes helped save the building, which was in poor condition.
The church's tall spire 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 the Church
Many people have connections to St Mary's Church throughout history.
Thomas Cornell
Thomas Cornell was baptized in this church around 1592. He later moved to America and became the ancestor of a large family there.
Rab Butler
A well-known British politician named Rab Butler (1902–1982) is buried in the churchyard. He was an important figure in the government and helped create the Education Act 1944. This act made big changes to education in England and Wales, making sure more children had access to good schools.
