St Michael and All Angels' Church, Houghton-le-Spring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael and All Angels' Church |
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 St Michael and All Angels' Church
Location in Tyne and Wear
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| 54°50′35″N 1°28′08″W / 54.843°N 1.469°W | |
| OS grid reference | NZ342499 |
| Location | Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Durham |
St Michael and All Angels' Church is a very old and important church located in Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, England. It's a special place for the local community and has been around for hundreds of years!
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What is St Michael's Church?
This church is known as the parish church of Houghton-le-Spring. A parish church is like a main church for a specific area or neighborhood. It serves the people living there for their religious needs. St Michael's is an Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England.
A Very Old Building
The church building itself is incredibly old. It was first built in the late 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! Imagine all the history that has happened around this building. Over the centuries, it has likely been changed and added to, but its core structure dates back a very long time.
Who Was Bernard Gilpin?
Inside the church, you can find the tomb of a famous person named Bernard Gilpin. He was a very important priest who lived in the 1500s. He was known as the "Apostle of the North" because he traveled a lot to teach people about Christianity. He was also famous for being very kind and helping poor people. His tomb is a significant historical feature within the church.
Why is St Michael's Church Special?
St Michael and All Angels' Church is a listed building. This means it's officially recognized as a building of special historical or architectural importance. It has a "Grade I" listing, which is the highest grade. This shows that the church is considered to be of exceptional interest. Being Grade I listed means it's protected and cared for so that future generations can also enjoy its history and beauty.
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