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Church of St Andrew, Northover facts for kids

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Church of St Andrew
Church of St Andrew Northover Ilchester.jpg
Location Northover, Ilchester, Somerset, England
Built 14th century
Governing body Churches Conservation Trust
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Church of St Andrew
Designated 19 April 1961
Reference no. 1267315
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The Church of St Andrew is a very old church located in Northover, a part of Ilchester, Somerset, England. This historic building was first constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries. That means it's over 500 years old!

Today, it's part of the Ilchester with Northover parish. This is one of three parishes that make up the Ilchester District Churches [1]. The church is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic building in England. It is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps to protect old churches that are no longer used for regular services. The Church of St Andrew officially joined the Trust on July 1, 1986.

Discovering the Church's History

The Church of St Andrew was originally built in the 14th century. Over time, parts of it have been updated. For example, the main hall (called the nave) and the area around the altar (called the chancel) were rebuilt in 1821. Later, in 1878, the church was carefully restored by Charles Benson.

Ancient Roots of the Church Site

This church stands in a very historic spot. It's located near the River Yeo. Even before the church was built, this area was important. It was once the site of an ancient Roman building and a cemetery. This was right next to the old Roman road known as the Fosse Way.

During the Saxon times, this location was home to a special church called a minster. It was managed by Glastonbury Abbey. After the Norman Conquest, the church was owned by Maurice, who was the Bishop of London. In 1219, it became part of St. John's hospital in Bridgwater.

Exploring the Church's Architecture

The Church of St Andrew is built from stone. It features special decorative stone called hamstone and has a roof made of clay tiles. The inside of the church has a three-section nave (the main part where people sit). It also has a two-section chancel (the area near the altar). There is also a room for the organ and a vestry (a room for changing robes).

The Church Tower

The church has a tall, three-level tower. This tower is supported by strong corner buttresses. These are like stone supports that help the walls stand firm. The tower also has an octagonal stair turret. This is a small, eight-sided tower that contains a staircase.

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