St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham

St. Mary Magdalene Church
St. Mary Magdalene Church

Location in Norfolk

52°49′42″N 0°30′32″E / 52.828204°N 0.508924°E
Denomination Church of England
Administration
Parish Sandringham, Norfolk
St Mary Magdalene Church

St Mary Magdalene Church is a church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, located just to the northwest of Sandringham Estate. Members of the British Royal Family attend services when in residence at Sandringham, which normally includes Christmas.[1]

The Grade II* listed[2] church is dedicated to Mary Magdalene[3] and is described as a small building in the Perpendicular style, "nobly lying on raised ground".[4][5] The current building dates to the 16th century and was restored by S. S. Teulon in 1855 and Arthur Blomfield in 1890. It is considered to be a noteworthy example of a carrstone building.[6][7] It is located in the park and is approached from Sandringham House through the garden by "an avenue of fine old Scotch firs".[5]

The silver altar and reredos were presented to Queen Alexandra by the American Rodman Wanamaker as a tribute to Edward VII. He also presented her with the silver pulpit and a silver 17th-century Spanish processional cross. Of note also is a Florentine marble font and a Greek font dating to the 9th-century.[6][8]

There are memorials to many members and relations of the Royal Family in the church and churchyard. Prince John (12 July 1905 – 18 January 1919) is buried here. King George VI lay in state in the church after his death in February 1952.[9]

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997) was baptised at St. Mary Magdalene Church.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Duke of Edinburgh misses royals' Christmas Day service". BBC. 25 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St Mary Magdelene <sic>  (Grade II*) (1077615)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Blomefield, Francis; Parkin, Charles (1775). An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: History of Norwich. Printed for W. Miller. p. 684. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  4. ↑ JSTOR (Organization) (1905). The Musical times. Novello. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jones, C. Rachel (1888). Sandringham, past and present. Jarrold & Sons. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Church of St. Mary Magdalene". Sandringham Estate.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  7. ↑ Kelly, E.R. (1865). The Post Office Directory of Norfolk & Suffolk. p. 365. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  8. ↑ James, N P (1 November 2011). Norfolk: A County Guide. Cv Publications. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-908419-01-9. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  9. ↑ Time Inc (18 February 1952). LIFE. Time Inc. p. 38. ISSN 0024-3019. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  10. ↑ Morton, p. 100