Church of St. James, Taunton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St James |
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| Location | Taunton |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Low church/evangelical |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | c. 1169 |
| Dedication | Saint James the Greater |
| Specifications | |
| Height | 111 feet (34 m) |
| Materials | Red sandstone |
The Church of St James is an old church in Taunton, Somerset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church was built a long time ago, in the early 14th century. But there was an even older church on this spot in the 10th century! It is named after Saint James the Greater. This church is also a special historic building, known as a Grade II* listed building.
History of St James Church
The Church of St James has some very old parts. For example, the roof above the main hall (called the nave) and the side area (called the north aisle) is from the Middle Ages. This roof is shaped like a barrel and is called a waggon roof.
Some parts of the church were rebuilt later. The south side area and the entrance porch were rebuilt in 1836 and 1837. The tall tower at the west end, which is about 111 feet (34 meters) high, was rebuilt in the 1870s. The area around the altar (called the chancel) was rebuilt in 1884.
Inside the church, you can find a special bowl for baptisms (called a font) that is from the 15th century. The stand where the preacher speaks (called the pulpit) is from 1633. There are also small pieces of colorful stained glass from the 15th century at the west end. Other stained glass windows were made in the 19th century by a company called Clayton and Bell.
The iron fence around the churchyard was put up in the early 19th century. The church is right next to the Somerset County Ground. It forms a familiar background for cricket matches played there.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St James is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. This is a large area managed by a bishop. The church follows the evangelical tradition within the Church of England. This means it focuses a lot on the Bible and sharing the Christian faith.
Gallery
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View of the church across the cricket ground
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Top of the church's tower
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See also
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
