Church of St Barnabas, Queen Camel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Barnabas |
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| Location | Queen Camel, Somerset, England |
| Built | 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 24 March 1961 |
| Reference no. | 431093 |
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The Church of St Barnabas is a very old and important church located in Queen Camel, a village in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 1300s! Because it's so special and historic, it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
Contents
Discovering St Barnabas Church
A Look at Its History
This church has a long history! Before the year 1140, an earlier church in Queen Camel was like the main church for nearby places such as Somerton and Chilton Cantelo. In the 1100s, the church was given to Cleeve Abbey, which was a monastery. We know that the first official priest, called a rector, was recorded here in 1317. Later, in 1888, the church was carefully repaired and updated during a time known as the Victorian restoration.
The Tall Tower and Its Bells
The church has a really tall tower, standing about 96 feet (29 m) high. This tower was built around 1491 and has five different sections. Inside the tower, there's a set of six very heavy bells. While another church in Cornwall has the heaviest single bell, the bells at Queen Camel are the heaviest set of six bells in the entire world when you add all their weights together!
Inside the Church
When you go inside the church, you'll see special memorials for many members of the Mildmay family. They used to be the important landowners, or "Lords of the manor," in the area. There is also a beautiful wooden screen called a rood screen. You can also find an eight-sided stone font, which is used for baptisms. It stands on four large, carved supports.
A Special Grave
In the churchyard, there is a grave looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This grave belongs to a sailor from the Royal Navy who sadly died during World War I.
The Church Community
The Church of St Barnabas is part of a group of churches called the Cam Vale benefice. This group includes churches in nearby villages like Corton Denham, Sparkford, Sutton Montis, West Camel, and Weston Bampfylde. They all work together within the larger Bruton and Cary deanery.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
