Church of St James, Chilton Cantelo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St James |
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| Location | Chilton Cantelo, Somerset, England |
| Built | 15th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St James | |
| Designated | 19 April 1961 |
| Reference no. | 1056835 |
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The Church of St James is an old church located in Chilton Cantelo, a village in Somerset, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the 15th century. This means it is over 500 years old!
This church is considered a very important historical building. It has a special status called a Grade II* listed building. This means it is protected because of its special architectural or historical interest.
History of the Church
The Church of St James has a tall tower that was built in the 15th century. Some parts of the church are even older than that. Imagine, people have been worshipping here for centuries!
The church was updated and repaired between 1864 and 1865. This type of work is called a Victorian restoration. It was done by a famous architect named Sir Arthur Blomfield. At that time, Charles Old Goodford was the main priest, or "incumbent," of the church.
The church is part of a group of churches called a benefice. This group includes churches in nearby villages like Ashington, Mudford, and Rimpton. They all belong to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger church area.
Church Design and Features
The Church of St James is made from stone. It has special decorative stone called hamstone around its windows and doors. The roofs are covered with clay tiles.
The church building has a main area called the nave. This is where the people sit during services. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar. There is also a small porch on the south side.
The West Tower
The church has a tall west tower with three levels. Strong supports called buttresses help hold it up. There is also a small spiral staircase inside the tower. At the very top, you can see a weathercock, which shows the direction of the wind.
The tower holds five bells. The oldest bell was made in the 17th century, which is over 300 years ago!
Inside the Church
When you go inside the church, you will find some very old items. There is a font that dates back to the 12th century. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This one is round and made of hamstone. It is about 0.9 meters (about 3 feet) wide.
You can also see an early piscina. A piscina is a special basin used for washing the sacred vessels during church services. There is also a wall tablet inside. It is a memorial to Lieutenant Charles Goodford, who sadly died during World War I.
