St Nicholas' Church, Tuxford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas' Church, Tuxford |
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St Nicholas's Church, Tuxford
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| 53°13′51.37″N 0°53′50.57″W / 53.2309361°N 0.8973806°W | |
| Location | Tuxford |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | www.tuxfordchurches.co.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Nicholas |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 (Cast iron frame) |
| Tenor bell weight | Tenor 11.5 cwt |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tuxford |
| Deanery | Newark and Southwell |
| Archdeaconry | Newark |
| Diocese | Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham |
| Province | York |
St Nicholas's Church is a very old and important church located in the village of Tuxford in Nottinghamshire, England. It's a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered a really special historical place. It belongs to the Church of England.
History of the Church
This church has a long and interesting past! It was first built way back in the 12th century, which is over 800 years ago. Over the years, different parts were added or rebuilt. For example, a clerestory (a row of windows high up) was added in 1374. The main part of the church, called the chancel, was rebuilt around 1495.
The church has also been repaired and updated many times. There were big restoration projects in the 18th century, and again in 1811, 1879, and 1893. In recent times, the church has joined with other local churches to work together. In the 1980s, it teamed up with churches in West Markham and Weston. Then, in 2013, two more churches from Marnham and Normanton on Trent joined the group.
The White Chapel
To the north side of the main Chancel is a special area called the White Chapel. This chapel was built as a burial place for the White family, who were important people from Tuxford and Wallingwells.
Inside this chapel, you can see a beautiful alabaster tomb. It belongs to Sir John White (who lived from 1558 to 1625) and his wife, Agnes Cecil. Agnes was the sister of Lord Burghley, who was a very important advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.
There's also a special memorial tablet in the chapel for Captain Charles Lawrence White. He was the youngest brother of Sir Thomas White, 1st Baronet. Sadly, Captain White died in a battle called the Siege of Bayonne in 1814. The tablet shows a picture of St. Lawrence on a gridiron, which is how he was martyred.
Underneath the chapel, there's a secret burial vault where many members of the White family are laid to rest. This includes Sir Thomas White, 1st Baronet, and his son, Sir Thomas White, 2nd Baronet. There's an even older burial vault under the Chancel, which holds members of the Stanhope family and earlier generations of the Whites.
On the walls of the chapel, you can find two amazing painted funerary hatchments. These are special painted shields that show the family's coat of arms. One shows the arms of Sir Thomas White, 1st Baronet, and the other shows the full coat of arms for Sir Thomas White, 2nd Baronet.
The last head of the White family who lived mostly at Tuxford Manor, Thomas White, is buried right under the High Altar of the church.
Church Organ
The church has an organ that was built in 1861 by a company called Robert Postill from York. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register if you're interested in how it works!
Church Bells
The church has a set of eight bells! It started with just four bells, then another was added, making five, and then one more. In 1926, all the bells were remade and hung in a special frame that could hold eight. Finally, in 1956, two brand new bells were added, completing the full set of eight.
Clergy
The Clergy are the leaders and ministers of the church. In 2006, Reverend Wall became the Priest in Charge for the Parish. Later, in 2013, Reverend Dunk joined as the Curate.
Some of the previous clergy who served at St Nicholas's Church include:
- Reverend C Wall (Priest in Charge from 2006 to June 2014)
- Reverend E Thomas
- Reverend J Martin
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Nottinghamshire
- Listed buildings in Tuxford
