St Nicolas Church, Newbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicolas Church |
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| Location | Newbury |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | 1086 |
| Dedication | Saint Nicolas |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Berkshire |
| Diocese | Oxford |
St Nicolas Church is a very old and important church in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. You can find it right in the center of town, just south of the main bridge over the River Kennet. This church is special because of its beautiful Gothic style. It's also unusually large for a local church. The building is so important that it's listed as a Grade I building. This means it's a historic place that needs to be protected.
Contents
Discovering the Church's Past
St Nicolas Church is named after Saint Nicholas, a famous bishop from the 300s. The very first church on this spot was built a long, long time ago. This was during the Norman times, around the year 1086. We know this because the church is mentioned in an old document from that period.
Rebuilding the Church
The church you see today was completely rebuilt between 1509 and 1533. This was a time when a specific style of building, called late Perpendicular Gothic, was popular. Builders often put special symbols in the stonework. At St Nicolas Church, you can find symbols like the pomegranate and the portcullis. The pomegranate was a symbol of Catherine of Aragon, and the portcullis was a symbol of the Tudor royal family. These symbols tell us the church was built when King Henry VIII was married to Catherine of Aragon. Their marriage ended in 1533.
Jack of Newbury's Contribution
A famous local person named John Winchcombe, also known as Jack of Newbury, helped build parts of the church. He was a wealthy cloth merchant. An old book from 1663 says that he built the church from the pulpit all the way to the tower. He passed away around 1520.
Victorian Changes
Later, during the Victorian era, the church was carefully restored. This means parts of it were repaired and cleaned up. However, the Victorians did not make any big changes to the church's main structure. In 1950, St Nicolas Church was officially given its Grade I listed status.
Exploring the Church's Design
The way St Nicolas Church is laid out is typical for a parish church. It has a main hall called the nave and a special area near the altar called the chancel. Unlike some larger churches, it does not have side wings that stick out. Even though it's a typical design, it's considered very large for its style.
Inside the Church
The nave has a high section called a clerestory. This part has five large windows on each side that let in lots of light. There are also side sections called aisles. These aisles have five arches each. They lead to smaller chapels, which were once used for special prayers. The chapel on the south side is still used that way. The one on the north side is now a vestry, which is a room where clergy get ready. It also holds the church organ.
The Bell Tower
The church has a tall tower at the west end. This tower holds ten bells! Eight of these bells were made in 1803 by a company called Wells of Aldbourne. They were re-hung in 1933 with new parts. At that time, two more bells were added. These two new bells were made in 1933 by Mears & Stainbank in London. The largest bell, called the tenor bell, weighs over 1,000 kilograms! It rings in the note of D.
Special Features
Many of the beautiful stained glass windows you see today were added during the Victorian restoration. The outside of the roof-line has decorative edges called crenellations. The tower also has pointed tops called pinnacles and small towers called turrets. These were also added by the Victorians. Inside, there's a special wooden pulpit from 1607. This is where sermons are given.
St Nicolas Church Today
St Nicolas Church is still a very active and important place in Newbury. It serves as an Evangelical Anglican parish church. This means it focuses on Biblical teaching and worship. The church continues to be a central part of both the Christian community and the wider cultural life of the town.
