St Michael's Church, Bray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael's Church, Bray |
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| 51°30′32.56″N 0°42′07.07″W / 51.5090444°N 0.7019639°W | |
| Location | Bray, Berkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | braystmichael.co.uk |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bray and Braywood |
| Deanery | Maidenhead and Windsor |
| Archdeaconry | Berkshire |
St Michael's Church, Bray is a very old and important church located in Bray, Berkshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is special because it is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a historically important building that needs to be protected.
Contents
The Church's Long History
This church has been around for a very long time! It was first built in 1293. People believe it replaced an even older Anglo-Saxon church that was once in a place called Water Oakley.
Changes Over the Years
Around the year 1500, parts of the church were rebuilt. Later, between 1857 and 1882, a famous architect named Thomas Henry Wyatt worked to restore it. This means he fixed up and improved many parts of the church.
Ancient Carvings Inside
Inside the church, you can find some interesting old stone carvings. These might have come from the even older church that was there before. One of these carvings is a damaged Sheela na Gig, which is a type of old carving often found on churches.
The Parish and Its Area
The church serves a local area called a parish. This parish is known as Bray St Michael with Braywoodside. It covers the same area as the wider local community.
A Royal Funeral at St Michael's
In 1938, a very important event happened at St Michael's. The royal funeral for George Mountbatten, 2nd Marquess of Milford Haven, was held here. After the service, he was buried in the nearby Bray Cemetery.
Exploring the Church's Monuments
The church is home to several special monuments. These include old brass plaques, called monumental brasses, from the 1300s to the 1500s.
Notable Brasses and Sculptures
One very famous brass is from 1378. It honors Sir John Foxley, who was an important officer called the Constable of Southampton Castle. Other interesting monuments include:
- A monument for William Goddard of Philibert, who passed away in 1609. He was the person who started Jesus Hospital. There is also a monument for his wife, Joyce Maunsell, who passed away in 1622.
- A sculpture for Mary Hanger, who passed away in 1738. This beautiful piece was made by a sculptor named Peter Scheemakers.
The Vicars of Bray
The church is also famous because of a well-known English folk song called The Vicar of Bray (song). There is also a satirical story called The Vicar of Bray that describes a vicar who changed his beliefs to stay in his job, no matter who was in power.
