kids encyclopedia robot

Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta, Tickenham facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta
Church of St Quiricus and St Juliet Tickenham.jpg
General information
Town or city Tickenham
Country England
Coordinates 51°26′22″N 2°46′53″W / 51.4394°N 2.7814°W / 51.4394; -2.7814
Completed 11th century

The Church of St. Quiricus and St. Julietta is an old church in Tickenham, Somerset, England. It was first built around the 11th century (that's over 900 years ago!). Later, in the early 1200s, more parts like aisles and a chapel were added. This church is so important that it's called a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very special historic place.

The church is named after two saints, Quiricus and Julietta. This is quite rare! There are only three other churches in the whole UK named after these saints. Two are in Cornwall and one is in Cambridgeshire.

Church History

The oldest part of the church is the chancel. This is the area around the altar. It has a low arch built in the Norman style. This style was popular in England after the Normans arrived in 1066.

More parts were added to the church over time. In the early 1200s, aisles were built next to the nave and chancel. The nave is the main part of the church where people sit. Windows in the south and north aisles were added in the mid-1300s. The tall tower you see today was built in 1497. For a while, the church was known as the Bave Chapel. This was because of the Bave family, who lived nearby at Barrow Court.

Aerial view of Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta
Aerial view of Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta

Inside the Church

The church has many interesting old features inside.

Baptismal Font

The baptismal font is a large stone bowl used for baptisms. This one is in the south aisle and dates back to around 1300. It has a square bowl with carved designs. It stands on a central pillar and four thinner pillars.

Pulpit and Altars

You can also see a hexagonal (six-sided) wooden pulpit in the nave. A pulpit is where the priest gives sermons. This one was carved in the Jacobean style. This style was popular in the early 1600s.

The altars in the chancel and chapel are supported by special columns. These columns were a gift from Sir Edmund Elton, 8th Baronet, in 1895. They are made from a type of pottery called Elton ware.

Stained Glass Windows

The church has beautiful stained glass windows. Some small figures of Christ Crucified and Christ in Majesty are from the early 1300s. You can find these in the south aisle. There are also older pieces of glass from the late 1300s in the north aisle windows.

See also