St Michael and St Mary Magdalene's Church, Easthampstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael and St Mary Magdalene |
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View of the front of the Church
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| Location | Bracknell |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Liberal Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish Church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Completed | 1867 |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Berkshire |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
The Church of St Michael and St Mary Magdalene is the main church for the area of Easthampstead, Berkshire. This church welcomes everyone. It combines traditional worship with modern ideas about faith and society. The church has many activities and study groups for people of all ages.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
The Church in Easthampstead has a very long and interesting past. Here are some important moments from its history.
Early Beginnings: 12th Century
There is no mention of the church in the Domesday Book. This book was a big survey of England from 1086.
The first time the church is mentioned is in 1159 AD. Lawrence, the Abbot of Westminster, gave "the church of Jezhamstede" to Hurley Priory. This was to honor Saint Edward the Confessor.
In 1176 AD, the church was asked to pay a yearly fee. This money was for wax candles for a special church service. The church was then called St. Mary. It was made of stone and had a square tower.
Changes in the 16th Century
In 1540, the Hurley Abbey had to give up its property to the King. This happened during the Reformation. In 1544, Henry VIII gave the church and its land to Charles Howard.
The Church in the 17th Century
Sir William Trumbull bought the land of Easthampstead in 1696. He then sold the church's ownership to Thomas Power. Five years later, Power sold it to Christ Church, Oxford. They still own it today.
The church's first bell tower was made of wood. It was rebuilt with bricks in 1664. A small stone on the tower shows the name Henry Boyer and the year 1664. This stone remembers his help with the building. By 1699, the church had four bells.
The 19th Century Rebuilding
At some point, the church became known as St. Mary Magdalene. We don't know why this change happened.
In 1866, the bell tower was made twice as tall. It was built with bricks and decorated with stone. New bells were also added.
In 1867, Lady Caroline and Revd. Osborne Gordon decided to completely rebuild the church. They chose J. W. Hugall, an architect from London. He designed a building in the Victorian Gothic revival style. Most of the church was built with stone.
When the church was rebuilt, it was dedicated to both St. Mary Magdalene and St. Michael. A few years later, it became known as St. Michael and St. Mary Magdalene. This is how it is known today.
The church is a large building made of stone. It has a main area (nave), a special area for the altar (chancel), and other parts like a vestry, organ chamber, and a tower.
Inside the Church: Special Features
The church has kept some old and important pieces of furniture. These items tell stories from its past.
The Font
The font is a large bowl used for baptisms. It is from the old church. It has a simple eight-sided bowl on a new base.
The Pulpit
The pulpit is where the priest gives sermons. It is made from wood from the 17th century. A panel on it has an old message from 1631.
Important Memorials
Many old stone slabs and memorials have been saved. The oldest one is for Edmund Thorold, who died in 1646.
On the north wall, there is a marble slab for Elijah Fenton, a poet who died in 1730. The famous poet Alexander Pope wrote a special poem for his memorial.
There is also a small brass plaque for Thomas Berwyk, who died in 1443. In the tower wall, you can still see the stone with "Henry Boyer 1664."
Other memorials remember important families like the Trumbulls and Downshires. There are also memorials for the poet Elijah Fenton and the polar explorer Frederick George Jackson.
Stained Glass Windows
The church has beautiful stained glass windows from the 19th century. Some were made by William Morris. Four windows were designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
The large window at the east end of the church is very special. It shows the church's patron saint at the Last Judgment. Many people think this is one of Burne-Jones's best works in stained glass.
On June 9, 2013, a new stained glass window was revealed in the porch. The artist was Thomas Denny. This window shows the baptism of Cynegils, who was the King of Wessex. King Oswald of Northumbria and two of Cynegils' daughters were there. This baptism helped bring Christianity to the Thames Valley. The window also celebrated the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.
Churchyard and Wildlife
The churchyard is not just a place for graves. It is also a home for many plants and animals.
A Haven for Nature
In 2002, the churchyard joined the Living Churchyards and Cemeteries Project. It even won an award in 2004! As part of this project, people have been watching the wildlife. They have also put up bat and bird boxes and planted wildflowers.
Even though it's in a busy town, the churchyard is a quiet place for wildlife. More than a hundred types of plants grow here. Many of these plants are often found in churchyards. Examples include germander speedwell, snowdrops, and greater stitchwort.
Insects and Trees
The old tombstones are covered with lichens and mosses. Insects use the small cracks in the stones for shelter. The stag beetle, which is a beetle that is becoming rare, has been seen here.
The oldest living thing in the churchyard is a very old yew tree. It is near the south gate. This tree is more than 13 feet around! In February, its male cones release a lot of pollen into the wind.
Images for kids
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Stained Glass window depicting the baptism of King Cynegils, by the artist Thomas Denny
