St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge |
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| 51°30′05″N 0°09′21″W / 51.5015°N 0.1557°W | |
| Location | 32a Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8SH |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | stpaulsknightsbridge.org |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Paul |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 24-Feb-1958 |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Cundy the younger |
| Style | Victorian Gothic |
| Years built | 1843 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Paul, Wilton Place |
| Deanery | Westminster (St Margaret) |
| Archdeaconry | Charing Cross |
| Diocese | London |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, is a beautiful old church in London, England. It's a special kind of Anglican church called Anglo-Catholic. This church is a "Grade II* listed building," which means it's very important historically and architecturally. You can find it in a fancy part of London called Knightsbridge.
Contents
History and Architecture of St Paul's
The church was built in 1843. It was one of the first churches in London to follow the ideas of the Oxford Movement. This movement wanted to bring back older traditions to the Church of England. The main architect was Thomas Cundy the younger.
Church Design and Artworks
After the church was finished in 1843, more parts were added. The chancel (the area around the altar) was built in 1892. It includes a rood screen and a striking reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar). These were designed by the famous church architect George Frederick Bodley. He also decorated St Luke's chapel. This chapel is like a lady chapel (a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary).
The walls of the main part of the church, called the nave, have special tiled panels. These were made in the 1870s by Daniel Bell. They show different scenes from the life of Jesus. You can also see the Stations of the Cross paintings. These were painted in the early 1920s by Gerald Moira. They show scenes from the story of Jesus's crucifixion.
The font (a basin for baptisms) is from 1842. It has carvings of stories from both the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible. There are also statues in the church. One is of the Virgin Mary and Child (from 1896). Another is of St Paul (from 1902).
Special Memorials in the Church
Inside the church, there is a memorial that remembers 52 brave women. These women were part of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY). They died during Second World War while doing secret intelligence work. They also helped by driving vehicles for the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Among the names on the memorial are three women who received the George Cross. This is a very high award for bravery.
St Paul's Church also has a special connection with another church. Its "sister parish" is the Church of St. Paul's, K street in Washington, D.C., in the United States.
Notable Events at St Paul's
St Paul's Church has been the setting for many important events over the years.
Famous Weddings Held Here
Many well-known people have chosen St Paul's for their weddings:
- 1900: George Cornwallis-West married Jennie Churchill. She was the mother of Winston Churchill.
- 1946: Bruce Shand married Rosalind Cubitt. They were the parents of Queen Camilla.
- 2015: Famous footballer Frank Lampard married Christine Bleakley.
Memorial Services and Funerals
The church has also hosted memorial services and funerals for notable individuals:
- 1937: J. Bruce Ismay, an English businessman.
- 2007: Mark Birley, a British entrepreneur.
- 2017: Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, a British noblewoman.
Gallery
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Inside the church
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Stained glass window from 1895
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A tiled panel showing the Nativity scene
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The altar in the chapel
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The reredos behind the main altar
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The rood cross
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The Women's Transport Service War Memorial
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Memorial to students from St Paul's School
