St Mary the Virgin Church, Langley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin Church, Langley |
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 St Mary the Virgin Church, Langley
Location in Berkshire
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| 51°30′21″N 0°33′12″W / 51.505732°N 0.553447°W | |
| Location | Langley |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | http://langleymarish.com/stmary/ |
| History | |
| Founded | c.1150 |
| Dedication | St Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Oxford |
St Mary the Virgin Church is a very old and important church in the village of Langley. Langley is located in the borough of Slough within the county of Berkshire in England. This church is part of the Church of England and is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It belongs to the Diocese of Oxford.
The church was built around the year 1150, making it almost 900 years old! It is considered a very special building and has a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.
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About St Mary's Church
St Mary the Virgin Church is a place of worship that has stood for centuries. It serves the local community of Langley and is known for its long history. The church is still active today, holding services and events for people of all ages.
What is a Grade I Listed Building?
When a building is "listed," it means it's officially recognized as being historically or architecturally important. A "Grade I" listing is the highest level. It means the building is of exceptional interest and needs to be protected. St Mary's Church is one of only about 2.5% of all listed buildings in England to have this special status.
The Kedermister Library
Inside St Mary's Church, there is a unique and historic library called the Kedermister Library. This library was a gift from a man named Sir John Kedermister. He was a kind person who also helped set up almshouses in the village in 1617. Almshouses were places where poor or elderly people could live.
The Kedermister Library is very special because it contains many old and valuable books. These books give us a peek into what people read and studied hundreds of years ago. It's like a time capsule of knowledge.
Famous People Buried Here
The churchyard at St Mary's is the final resting place for a few notable people.
Charles Morice
One person buried here is Charles Morice (1775–1815). He was a British Army officer. Sadly, he was killed in 1815 during the famous Battle of Waterloo. This was a very important battle in European history.
Paul Nash
Another famous person buried in the churchyard is Paul Nash (1889–1946). He was a celebrated British war artist. War artists create paintings and drawings that show what war is like. Nash's work is very well-known and helps us understand the experiences of soldiers during wartime.
