Church of St Mary of the Purification, Blidworth

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St Mary's, Blidworth
St Mary of the Purification, Blidworth
St Mary Blidworth 24 June 2017 02.jpg
With 1963 model of the earlier church in foreground
Church of St Mary of the Purification, Blidworth
Denomination Church of England
Churchmanship Broad Church
History
Dedication St Mary
Administration
Province York
Diocese Southwell and Nottingham
Parish Blidworth
Clergy
Vicar(s) Revd. Zoe Burton

The Church of St Mary of the Purification is a parish church of the Church of England in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire, dating from the 15th century. It is a Grade II* listed building. [1]

Contents

Building

Only the west tower from the medieval (15th century) church survives. The rest was built in 1739 by Rhodes of Barlborough and 1839 by Colvin. It is of ashlar with a lead roof. [1] The graveyard includes a 1963 model of the earlier church. [2] The clock tower has two clocks, one facing West, the other East which would be visible to people approaching from either direction along Main Street.

Organ

The original pipe organ was dilapidated so in 2012 was replaced by a carvednave. A bespoke installation, the local parish director of music and the Rector Chori of Southwell Minster were consulted beforehand to conclude the specifications needed to achieve their desired sounds. [3]

Will Scarlet grave marker Blidworth Will Scarlet grave marker 24 June 2017.jpg
Will Scarlet grave marker

Notable burials

The church is reputed to be the burial place of Will Scarlet. The place is not known, but a piece of the earlier church serves as a memorial. [4]

Rocking Ceremony

The Church of St Mary of the Purification is the only church that is known to continue to hold an annual Rocking Ceremony during which a baby boy, born nearest to Christmas Day and having married, Christian parents living in Blidworth, is “rocked” in a cradle on the Feast of the Purification of Mary, which is on the Sunday nearest to Candlemas. [5] [6] [7]

The ceremony is a symbolic enactment of the story from the Bible found in Luke's gospel, depicting the Presentation of Christ at a temple. [8] It is thought to have started in the 13th century, but was banned from 1600. [7] The custom was revived in 1842 by the vicar, John Lowndes but then fell out of use. It was revived again in 1922, and has been using the same cradle since then. [6] [7] [8]

All of the babies who have taken part in the Rocking Ceremonies have their names recorded upon a plaque at the rear of St Mary's Church with their full name and the year in which they were 'Rocked'. [6] In 2010 a sculpture of a cradle was made to celebrate the custom. [7]

See also

Sources

  1. 1 2 Historic England. "CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE PURIFICATION (1045529)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "Blidworth St Mary of the Purification". Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "Blidworth organ dedication invitation". Chad, 29 August 2012, p.30. Accessed 9 February 2025
  4. ↑ "Robin Hood and Blidworth". BBC Nottingham. BBC. 22 September 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  5. ↑ "Baby Frankie is rocked at ancient Blidworth ceremony". Chad , 6 February 2012, p.48. Accessed 12 February 2025
  6. 1 2 3 "Ancient Rocking Ceremony kept alive at Blidworth church". BBC Nottingham. BBC. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Williams, Victoria (2016). Celebrating Life Customs around the World: From Baby Showers to Funerals, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 51–2. ISBN   9781440836596.
  8. 1 2 Baby Jack becomes the 91st Rocking baby Chad (Mansfield local newspaper), 27 February 2013, p.54 Accessed 31 July 2018

53°05′39″N01°07′36″W / 53.09417°N 1.12667°W / 53.09417; -1.12667

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