Church of St Andrew, Blagdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Andrew |
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| Location | Blagdon, Somerset, England |
| Built | 15th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 9 February 1961 |
| Reference no. | 1146388 |
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The Church of St Andrew is an old church located in Blagdon, a village in Somerset, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old! Because it's so old and important, it's known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a special building that is protected because of its history and unique design.
Contents
Exploring the Church of St Andrew
The church has a really tall tower, standing about 116 feet (35 m) high. This tower is one of the tallest in Somerset. It has pointy decorations called pinnacles and a fancy top edge called a parapet with a diamond pattern. There's also a small spiral staircase tower, called a stair turret spirelet, in one corner.
The tower itself is from the 15th century, just like the original church. Inside the tower, there's a bell made in 1716 by the Bilbie family, who were famous bell makers. Most of the rest of the church was rebuilt much later, between 1907 and 1909. This rebuilding was paid for by Lord Winterstoke.
Inside the Church
When you go inside the church, you can see some interesting old features. For example, there's a special stone basin called a piscina built into the south wall of the chancel (the part of the church near the altar). This piscina is designed in a Romanesque style, which is a very old European art and architecture style from around the 11th and 12th centuries.
The Lychgate and Ancient Carvings
To the east of the church, there's a special gate called a lychgate. This gate is also a Grade II listed building, meaning it's important too! Above the door of the lychgate, you can spot four very old, simple carvings. These carvings are from the Norman period, which was even before the 15th century! They have survived even though the church has been rebuilt three times.
The Story of "Rock of Ages"
Did you know that a famous hymn, "Rock of Ages", was written by a man named Augustus Toplady right here in Blagdon? He was working as a curate (a type of assistant priest) at St Andrew's Church in the 1760s. People believe he got the idea for the hymn while he was sheltering from a storm under a large rock in a nearby place called Burrington Combe.
Keeping the Church Alive
In 2013, people worked hard to raise money for the church. They wanted to add new toilets and a kitchen, which makes the church more useful for everyone today. They also made improvements to stop dampness and add insulation, helping to keep the old building in good shape for many more years.
The Church of St Andrew is part of a group of churches in the area, including those in Charterhouse, Compton Martin, and Ubley. They all belong to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger church area.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
