St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Houghton facts for kids
| St Michael and All Angels Church | |
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| Location | Great Houghton, South Yorkshire |
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| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | www.darfieldallsaintschurch.org.uk/st-michael-and-all-angels/ |
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Founded | c. 1650 |
St Michael and All Angels Church is a historic church located in Great Houghton, South Yorkshire. It serves as the main church for the local area, known as the parish church. This special building is named after St Michael, an important figure in religious traditions.
Contents
The Church's Beginnings
The church started its life as a private chapel. It was built around 1650 by a man named Sir Edward Rodes. Sir Edward was the High Sheriff of Yorkshire, which meant he was a very important official in the region. He was also a strong supporter of the Parliament during the English Civil War.
His chapel was built for his family and the people who lived and worked on his land. It was a place where they could gather for worship.
Sir Edward Rodes and Oliver Cromwell
Sir Edward Rodes was a close friend of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was a powerful leader who became the Lord Protector of England. This meant he ruled the country for a time.
Sir Edward was part of Cromwell's special group of advisors, called the Protector's Privy Council. He also led Cromwell's cavalry, which was a group of soldiers on horseback. Cromwell even visited the chapel when it was finished. He liked its simple design.
Sir Edward Rodes passed away on February 19, 1666. He was buried in Darfield Church. His family's special symbol, called a Coat of Arms, was once carved in stone on the church's east wall. Over time, it disappeared, but you can still see the empty space where it used to be.
A Haven for Worship
The very first religious ceremony held in the chapel was a baptism. This was for one of Sir Edward's younger sons. The ceremony was led by Mr. Edward Bowles, a well-known Presbyterian minister from York.
Richard Taylor was the first minister to serve at the chapel. He was the Chaplain to the Rodes family. At that time, a law called the Act of Uniformity made it difficult for some ministers to preach in public. The Rodes family were known for supporting people who didn't follow the main church rules. Because of this, the chapel at Great Houghton became a safe place for ministers who faced difficulties. Many non-conforming ministers found protection and a place to serve here.
Becoming a Public Church
For many years, the chapel remained private. It was used mainly by the Rodes family and their community. It wasn't until 1849 that it became "Episcopally licensed" for worship. This meant it was officially approved for public religious services.
Later, in 1906, the chapel officially became part of the Church of England. The very first Anglican service, which is a type of Christian worship, was a Holy Communion. It took place on November 24, 1908.
