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Church of All Saints, Turkdean facts for kids

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Church of All Saints
Turkdean church (geograph 3818688).jpg
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Denomination Church of England
Website https://allsaintsturkdean.org.uk/
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade I listed building
Designated 26 January 1961
Administration
Benefice Northleach
Deanery North Cotswolds
Archdeaconry Cheltenham
Diocese Gloucester
Province Canterbury

The Church of All Saints is an old church located in Turkdean, a village in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. This church belongs to the Church of England. It was first built a very long time ago, in the 12th century. Today, it is recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.

A Look Back in Time

How the Church Was Built

The Church of All Saints was originally built in the 1100s. Later, around the late 1400s or early 1500s, some big changes were made. A tower was added to the church. The main part of the church, called the nave, was also updated. A new section, known as a south aisle, was built on the side.

Victorian Changes

Much later, in 1897, the church went through a "Victorian restoration." This means that during the Victorian era, people fixed up and updated parts of the church. They wanted to make sure it was in good condition and looked its best.

Names Through the Years

This church has had a few different names over its long history! It was first dedicated to St Mary. Then, it might have been dedicated to St Michael for a while. Finally, in the 1700s, it was rededicated to All Saints, which is the name it still has today. The church is part of the Northleach group of churches within the Diocese of Gloucester.

What the Church Looks Like

Building Materials and Structure

The Church of All Saints is made from limestone, a type of stone often found in the Cotswolds. Its roofs are covered with stone slates. The church has a few main parts: the chancel (the area near the altar), a north aisle (a side section), a porch, and the nave (the main area where people sit). The tower was built right into the west end of the nave.

Church Bells

Inside the tower, there are three bells. The oldest bell is very ancient, dating back to the 1300s! The other two bells were made in 1641. Imagine how many times those bells have rung over the centuries!

Old Features and Art

On the south wall of the chancel, you can see a special arch and a carved stone panel called a tympanum. These are examples of Norman architecture, which was popular when the church was first built. There's also a "scratch dial" on the wall. This was like an old sundial that helped people tell the time of day.

The church also has small pieces of wall paintings from the 1300s. These are very rare and give us a peek into the past. Sadly, other wall paintings were found in 1967 but were then covered up with whitewash.

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