All Saints Church, Isle Brewers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints Church |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Year consecrated | 1861 |
| Location | |
| Location | Isle Brewers, Somerset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles Edmund Giles |
| Architectural type | Church |
All Saints Church is a special church in Isle Brewers, a village in Somerset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. A famous architect named Charles Edmund Giles designed it. The church was built between 1859 and 1861. Since 1959, it has been a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building.
Contents
Why a New Church Was Built
The old church in Isle Brewers was very old and falling apart. It was also too small for everyone who wanted to attend services. Plus, its location meant it often flooded in winter. Because of these problems, a new church was needed.
The vicar of Isle Brewers, Rev. Dr. Joseph Wolff, decided to help. He had already helped the village get a school and a house for the vicar. Now, he started collecting money to build a new church. People donated money to help. By March 1858, they had collected £200.
A kind person, General Sir John Michel, gave a piece of land for the new church. It was about a quarter of a mile from the old one. In August 1859, Rev. Wolff traveled around England. He gave speeches and talks to raise even more money for the church.
Building the Church
Charles Edmund Giles, an architect from London and Taunton, drew the plans for the church. John Spiller, a builder from Taunton, was hired to construct it.
The first stone, called the foundation stone, was laid on September 22, 1859. Hon. Henry Walpole did the honors. Many local church leaders and the Archdeacon of Taunton, George Denison, were there. They had hoped Sir John Pakington would lay the stone, but he was sick.
At that time, about £1,000 had been collected. The total cost of the church was £1,300. The church was finished and officially opened on August 2, 1861. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Rev. Robert Eden, led the special ceremony.
Recent Repairs and Future Plans
In recent years, All Saints Church has needed some major repairs. It was added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. This means its roof, ceiling, two windows, and the tower were in poor condition.
Good news came in 2018! The church received a large grant of £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This money will be used to fix the church.
The funding will also help make the church more useful for the community. The church plans to make the pews (the long benches) movable. They will also add a kitchen and toilets. This will allow the church to be used for other community events, not just services.
Church Design and Features
All Saints Church is built from a type of stone called blue lias. It has special decorative stones called Hamstone and a roof made of Bridgwater tiles. The church is built in the Early English style, which is a type of old English architecture.
The church was designed to hold 170 people. It has several main parts:
- A three-bay nave (the main part where people sit).
- A two-bay chancel (the area near the altar).
- A vestry (a room for the clergy).
- A heating chamber.
- A tower, which also includes the porch (the entrance).
The tower is about 72 feet (22 m) tall. It originally held the bells from the old parish church.
Inside, the open roof is mostly made of stained and varnished red deal wood. The pews are also made from this wood, except for the ones in the chancel, which are made of oak. The beautiful window in the chancel was a gift from Mrs. Miles. The patterned floor and stone work were made by Mr. Brinson.
Many of the church's original features are still there. These include the pews, the reredos (a screen behind the altar), the pulpit (where sermons are given), and the lectern (where readings are done). Some very old items from the village's earlier church were moved here. These include a Norman font (a basin for baptisms), two Jacobean coffin stools, and a chest from the 1700s.
