St Olaf's Church, Poughill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Olaf's Church, Poughill |
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St Olaf’s Church, Poughill
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| 50°50′30.58″N 4°31′31.17″W / 50.8418278°N 4.5253250°W | |
| Location | Poughill |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Conservative Evangelical |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Olaf |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Poughill |
| Deanery | Stratton |
| Archdeaconry | Bodmin |
| Diocese | Diocese of Truro |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St Olaf's Church is a Church of England parish church located in Poughill, near Bude, in Cornwall, England. It is a very important historical building, listed as Grade I. This means it is considered to be of exceptional interest.
Contents
Exploring St Olaf's Church History
St Olaf's Church has a long and interesting past, with parts of it dating back many centuries.
How Old is the Church?
The church has been built and changed over hundreds of years.
- The font, where baptisms happen, is from the 13th century.
- The south aisle was added between the 14th and 15th centuries.
- The porch and the tall west tower were built in the 15th century.
- The strong, studded main door is from the 16th century.
Who Was St Olaf?
The church is named after St Olaf, who was a king of Norway. He is sometimes called a "martyr" because he died for his Christian beliefs. The church can hold up to 300 people.
What Was Discovered During Restoration?
In 1928, during a big repair project, workers found the foundations of an even older church! This original church was built in the Norman style, but none of its walls are still standing above ground today.
Church Building Materials
The church's pillars are made from different types of stone.
- The pillars on the north side and the south arch of the nave (the main part of the church) are made of Caen stone. This stone came from France and was used in the 14th century.
- The pillars on the south side are made of granite, a strong local stone, and were added in the 15th century.
- You can also find a piscina (a basin for washing sacred vessels) and an aumbry (a cupboard for storing sacred items) in the south chancel (the area near the altar) that date back to the 13th century.
The Amazing Wall Paintings
Inside the church, there are special wall paintings called frescoes. These paintings are very old, from around 1470. They show the story of St Christopher.
- The frescoes were hidden for a long time under whitewash and were only found in 1894.
- Wall paintings like these used to be common in churches.
- Records from Poughill show that these figures were painted over in 1550 during the English Reformation, when King Edward VI was on the throne.
The Legend of St Christopher
The legend says that St Christopher was a huge, strong man who was not Christian at first. After he became Christian, a holy hermit told him to help travelers cross a dangerous river. One stormy night, he carried a small child on his shoulders across the river. As he walked, the child became heavier and heavier. When they reached the other side, the child told him he was Jesus, and that St Christopher had carried the weight of the whole world.
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The Church Organ
The church has an organ. If you are interested in learning more about it, you can find details on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Important People at St Olaf's
Some notable people have served at St Olaf's Church. For example, The Ven. Percy Ashford was the Vicar of Poughill before he became the Chaplain General of Prisons.
