Church of St Andrew, Compton Dundon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Andrew
Location	Compton Dundon, Somerset, England
Built	11th century
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Church of St Andrew
Designated	17 April 1959
Reference no.	1176782
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The Church of St Andrew is an old and beautiful church located in Compton Dundon, a village in Somerset, England. This church was first built a very long time ago, in the 14th century. It is considered a special historical building, known as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's important to protect.

History of St Andrew's Church

Building the Church

The oldest part of the church, called the chancel, was built in the 14th century. The rest of the church was added later, in the 15th century. Around the year 1900, the church was repaired and updated.

Church Community

The Church of St Andrew is part of a larger group of churches. It works together with churches in nearby Street and Walton. All these churches belong to the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Church Architecture and Features

Building Materials

This church is made from stone, with special hamstone details. Its roof is covered with clay tiles. The church has a main area called the nave with four sections. It also has a chancel with two sections. There is a porch on the south side and a small room called a vestry on the north-east side.

West Tower and Buttresses

The church has a tall tower on its west side. This tower has three levels and is supported by strong corner buttresses. These are like extra walls that help hold the tower up.

Inside the Church

Inside, you can find some very old items. There is a special stone basin called a piscina from the 14th century. This was used for washing sacred vessels. There is also an eight-sided wooden pulpit from 1628. A pulpit is where the priest gives sermons. You can also see two old chests, one from the 14th century and another from the 16th century.

Ancient Yew Tree

In the churchyard, there is a very old yew tree. Experts believe this tree is over 1700 years old! The inside of its trunk is hollow, and it measures about 23 feet around.

Chest Tomb

You can also find an 18th-century chest tomb in the churchyard. This is a type of tomb that looks like a stone chest.

Church Bells

Modern Bell System

The Church of St Andrew has a set of six bells that can be rung in a full circle. There is also a separate seventh bell, called a tenor bell, used for chiming. A big project to fix and improve the bells was completed in 2025.

History of the Bells

The two oldest bells were made in 1630 and 1688 by the Austen family, right in the village. Two other bells were remade in 1729 and 1777 by the Bilbie family. A bell from 1796, also made by the Bilbie family, did not sound right with the others. It is now used for the church clock's chimes.

Newer Bells and Frame

Two bells from the 1800s were brought from other churches. One came from St James' Church, Church Kirk, in Lancashire, and another from All Saints Church, Lindfield, in Sussex. A new steel frame was put in to hold all the bells.

Past Bell Use

Historically, the church had five bells. By 1900, the bell mechanism needed repairs. In 1936, the bells were rehung so they could only be used for chiming, not full circle ringing.

See also

• List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells