Local Places - Part 6

[smallhobbit]

When you think of old places of worship in Gloucester, you may think of the Cathedral, or possibly St Mary de Lode

 

But the church I'm going to talk about today is St Mary de Crypt



The original church was concecrated in 1137, and was replaced by the current building in the early 1400s.  It is one of only 12 medieval churches to have a crypt and this is one of the largest, running the length of the building.



The church has seen famous people in its time, including George Whitfield, one of the founders of Methodism, who preached his first sermon here.  It is also both the baptism and burial site of Robert Raikes, who was one of the founders of the Sunday School movement, by which children who worked during the week could receive an elementary education in reading, writing and arithmetic as well as basic Bible knowledge.



The Georgian font is the stone structure on the right of the photo, and is the reason for my visit, since I was there for a baptism.  It's a much slenderer font than the solid stone one at St Margaret's.

At the rear of the picture is one of the side chapels with more stained glass.


 

Comments

[corvidology]

I'm amazed I've never visited it.

*puts on list*

[smallhobbit]

It's the first time I've been. I'd definitely recommend it.

[margaret_r]

What a beautiful and fascinating old church! I'd love to visit it one day.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I'd not been before and was pleasantly surprised by it.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Wow! What a beautiful place. It looks amazing on the inside and out. I like stained glass and that one is lovely.

[smallhobbit]

It is a lovely church. You may have realised I, too, like stained glass :)

[rusty_armour]

St Mary de Crypt is a beautiful church with a really interesting history. What a great choice for a baptism.

[smallhobbit]

The family chose it because it was the same church the mother had been baptised in 25 years ago, so there was a real connection there in a lovely church.

[adafrog]

Very pretty.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[therealsnape]

This looks beautiful! And the stained glass! Fantastic.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I'm a great fan of stained glass.