Steeple, Essex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steeple |
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 St Lawrence and All Saints' Church, Steeple |
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 Steeple
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| Population | 490 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TL934029 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Southminster |
| Postcode district | CM0 |
| Dialling code | 01621 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Steeple is a small village in Essex, England. It is located on the Dengie Peninsula, a piece of land that sticks out into the sea. The village sits near the southern side of the River Blackwater estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea.
A tiny settlement called Stansgate is part of Steeple village. It is located right on the banks of the River Blackwater.
Steeple's Churches
The first church in Steeple was called St Lawrence. It was about 600 meters (or 656 yards) west of where the main village is now. Sadly, this old church was destroyed by a fire.
A new church was built in the center of Steeple around 1882 to 1884. Workers used some materials from the old church to help build the new one. This new church is also called St Lawrence and All Saints' Church.
On the western side of the village, there is another old building. It used to be a chapel for a religious group called the Peculiar People. This chapel was built in 1877.
Stansgate Priory: An Old Monastery
Stansgate Priory was a special kind of monastery called a Cluniac Priory. It was built around 1120 near the River Blackwater. Monasteries like this were homes for monks who lived, worked, and prayed together.
Many monasteries in England were closed down in 1534. This happened because of a powerful person named Thomas Cromwell. He was a chief minister to King Henry VIII. Cromwell helped the King make big changes to the church in England, which included closing many priories like Stansgate.
The Benn Family and Viscounts Stansgate
Since about 1900, the village of Steeple has been home to several generations of the Benn family. This family is well-known in British politics.
In 1942, members of the Benn family were given a special title: Viscount Stansgate. A Viscount is a noble title, ranking below an Earl and above a Baron. It is a title of honor given by the King or Queen. The Benn family lives in a house called Stansgate House in the village.
