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Church of St Bartholomew, Ubley facts for kids

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Church of St Bartholomew
Gray stone building with square tower surmounted by a spire on the left. Surrounded by trees and green fields.
Location Ubley, Somerset, England
Built 13th century
Listed Building – Grade I
Designated 21 September 1960
Reference no. 33018
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The Church of St Bartholomew is a historic church located in the village of Ubley, which is in Somerset, England. This church is quite old, with its first parts built way back in the 13th century. Over the years, more sections were added to it. Because of its special history and architecture, it has been given a very important status: it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered one of the most important historic buildings in England and is protected.

What Makes This Church Special?

The Church of St Bartholomew has several interesting features that make it unique.

Inside the Church

  • No Fixed Seats: Unlike many churches today, this one doesn't have rows of fixed pews (long benches). This means the inside space can be used more flexibly.
  • Old Pulpit: You can see a special pulpit from the 17th century. A pulpit is a raised stand where a preacher gives a sermon. This one is called a Jacobean pulpit, named after the time of King James I.
  • Chained Book: There's a very old book inside, a chained copy of the ‘Paraphrases of Erasmus’. This book was printed in 1552. Books were sometimes chained in churches long ago to keep them safe and prevent them from being stolen.
  • Ancient Font: The church has a stone font that dates back to the 13th century, just like the original church building. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This one has a square bowl.
  • Beautiful Stained Glass: The east window of the church has stunning stained glass. It was created in 1877 by a famous artist named Jean-Baptiste Capronnier. Stained glass windows often tell stories or show religious figures through colorful glass pieces.

Outside the Church

On the north side of the church, you can still see the remains of a Fives court. Fives is a traditional sport, a bit like handball, played against a wall. It's interesting to think about people playing this game right next to the church many years ago!

Church Community and Area

The Church of St Bartholomew is part of a larger church community. It joins with the churches in Blagdon and Compton Martin. This group of churches is called a Benefice. They are all part of the deanery of Chew Magna and the Archdeaconry of Bath. This means they work together and are connected within the wider Church of England structure in the area.

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