Church of St James, Ashwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St James |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Ashwick |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°14′02″N 2°31′16″W / 51.2338°N 2.5211°W |
| Completed | 1881 |
The Church of St James is a historic church located in Ashwick, a village in Somerset, England. This beautiful building was mostly completed in 1881. It is considered a very important historical site, known as a Grade I listed building. The church stands right next to Ashwick Court, a notable building in the area. Interestingly, while the main church is from the late 1800s, its tower is much older, dating all the way back to around 1450!
Contents
About St James Church
The main part of the Church of St James was built between 1876 and 1881. It was designed in the Gothic style, which was popular during the Victorian period. The builders were Browne and Gill from Bath. Even though the church itself is from the late 1800s, its tall tower is much older. The tower was actually built in 1463, making it nearly 600 years old!
A Look at Its History
The very first mention of a church on this spot was in 1413. At that time, a religious leader named Bishop Bubwith officially opened the churchyard in Ashwick. He also gave permission for people to be buried there. We don't know exactly when the first church building was constructed.
From Chapel to Parish Church
The Church of St James started out as a "chapel of ease." This meant it was a smaller church that helped people attend services more easily. It was connected to the main church, or vicarage, in Kilmersdon, which is near Radstock. The church stayed this way until Ashwick became its own separate parish. A parish is like a local church district.
Over the years, the church's responsibilities grew. In 1923, the nearby area of Oakhill was added to its care. Then, in 1969, Binegar was also included. Since then, one rector, or church leader, has been in charge of all three villages.
Important People Remembered
Inside the Church of St James, you can find two special memorial tablets. These tablets are located at the west end of the church's aisles. They honor John Billingsley, his wife Mary, and their family.
John Billingsley was a very important person in farming. He wrote a famous book in 1794 called the "Survey of Somerset." He was also one of the people who started the Bath and West Society. Today, this society is known as the Royal Bath and West of England Society. It helps promote farming and rural life.
A Special Grave
The churchyard at St James has been extended over time. In this newer part, there is a special grave. It belongs to an officer from the Home Guard who served during World War II. This grave is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They look after the graves of military personnel from the Commonwealth.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
