- This page was last modified on 17 October 2025, at 10:18. Suggest an edit.
Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta, Tickenham facts for kids
| Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Tickenham |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°26′22″N 2°46′53″W / 51.4394°N 2.7814°W |
| Completed | 11th century |
The Church of St. Quiricus and St. Julietta is a very old church located in Tickenham, a village in Somerset, England. It was first built way back in the 11th century, which means it's over 900 years old! Over time, parts of the church were made bigger. For example, in the early 13th century, new sections called aisles and a south chapel were added. This church is so special and important that it has been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.
The church is named after two saints, Quiricus and Julietta. This is a very rare dedication! There are only three other churches in the whole United Kingdom named after these specific saints. Two of them are in Cornwall, and one is in Cambridgeshire.
Contents
History of the Church
The oldest part of the Church of St. Quiricus and St. Julietta is the chancel. This is the area around the altar. It has a low arch that was built in the Norman style. This style was popular in England after the Normans arrived in 1066.
Building Over Time
In the early 13th century, more parts were added to the church. These included aisles, which are side sections, next to the main part of the church called the nave and the chancel. Later, around the mid-14th century, new windows were put into the south and north aisles. The tall church tower was built much later, in 1497. This tower was once known as the Bave Chapel. It was named after the Bave family, who lived nearby at Barrow Court.
Inside the Church
The Church of St. Quiricus and St. Julietta has many interesting features inside. These are called "fittings."
Special Features
- Baptismal Font: In the south aisle, you can find the baptismal font. This is a large bowl used for baptisms. It was made around the year 1300. It has a square bowl with special carved designs. It stands on a central pillar and four smaller pillars.
- Wooden Pulpit: The church also has a hexagonal, or six-sided, Jacobean carved wooden pulpit. A pulpit is a raised platform where a priest or minister stands to give a sermon. The Jacobean style was popular in the early 17th century.
- Altars: The altars in the chancel and the chapel are supported by columns made of Elton ware. This special pottery was a gift from Sir Edmund Elton, 8th Baronet, in 1895.
- Stained Glass Windows: The church has beautiful stained glass windows. Some of these are very old. A small window in the south aisle, from the early 14th century, shows figures of Christ Crucified and Christ in Majesty. There are also older pieces of glass from the late 14th century in the north aisle windows.
More to Explore
If you found this church interesting, you might also like to learn about:
- List of Grade I listed buildings in North Somerset
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells