St Michael and All Angels Church, Sunninghill facts for kids
The Church of Saint Michael and All Angels is a beautiful old church located in the village of Sunninghill, England. It's an active Anglican church, which means it's part of the Church of England. It serves the local community of Sunninghill and South Ascot, sharing its parish with All Souls Church. The church is named after Saint Michael and all angels.
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History of the Church
This church has a very long history! It was first built around the year 890 AD. However, the church you see today was mostly rebuilt much later, between 1808 and 1827. It was designed in a style called Perpendicular Gothic, which is a type of medieval architecture.
Special Features and Additions
The Church of Saint Michael and All Angels is considered a special historical building. It is "listed Grade II" on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's an important building that needs to be protected.
In 1888, some parts of the church were added by an architect named William Henry Crossland. These additions included the vestry (a room for clergy), the chancel (the area around the altar), and a chapel on the south side.
Crossland built the south chapel to remember a man named Thomas Holloway. Holloway was a famous person who founded Holloway College. He was buried at this church, and five special windows were put in the church to honor him. His family, including his wife and sister, are also buried in a vault (an underground burial chamber) at the church.
Old Parts of the Church
Even though much of the church was rebuilt, one very old part was kept. This is a "zig zag" archway that came from the original Norman church. The Norman period was a long time ago, from 1066 to 1154, so this archway is very old!
Churchyard and Important People
The land around the church, called the churchyard, is also very interesting.
Nearby Historic Home
Right across from the church is a historic house called The Cedars. Long ago, in 1779, some of the church's land was sold to the owner of The Cedars. In fact, the front garden of that house used to be part of the church's burial ground.
Monuments and Burials
There are several important monuments in the churchyard. Two of them, for Richard Fitzpatrick and Francis Stone, are also "listed Grade II" because of their historical importance.
A famous naval officer, Rear Admiral Home Riggs Popham, is buried here. He was a brave leader who fought in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. His tomb was fixed up by a group called the 1805 Club. Popham's tomb has carvings that show his involvement in big naval battles like Copenhagen, Cape of Good Hope, and the British invasions of the River Plate.
War Memorials
The churchyard also has nine special memorials from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. These mark the burial places of British military members who died in the First and Second World Wars. It's a place to remember their sacrifice.
Church Bells
The church tower has three bells. Each bell has a unique story:
- The first bell says "William Eldridge Made Mee 1662."
- The second bell is marked "S. O K 1705."
- The third bell was made in London by John Warner in 1867.
