Church of St James, Southstoke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St James the Great |
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| Location | Southstoke, Somerset, England |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 1 February 1956 |
| Reference no. | 1277046 |
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The Church of St James is an Anglican church located in the village of Southstoke, Somerset, England. It was first built a very long time ago, in the 12th century. Today, it is recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a really important historical site.
Contents
History of the Church
The Church of St James is named after James, son of Zebedee, also known as St James the Great. The original building was constructed in the 1100s. Over the years, it has been changed and updated.
Changes Over Time
In the 15th century, parts of the church were changed. Later, in the 1840s and 1850s, more big changes happened during a time called the Victorian restoration. During this time, the chancel (the area around the altar) and the south aisle (a side part of the church) were rebuilt.
However, some very old parts still remain! For example, the north door is from the original Norman period. This means it's over 800 years old.
What Makes it Special?
A famous expert named Nikolaus Pevsner studied the church. He noted that the north doorway has special designs. It has columns with a diamond (lozenge) pattern. The stone above the door, called the lintel, has small carved patterns. The space above the lintel, called the tympanum, has a cool criss-cross pattern. The arch itself has flower-like shapes (rosettes) and a zig-zag design.
Pevsner also mentioned that the church has a stone pulpit (where the priest speaks from) that is likely from the old times.
Treasures Inside
The Church of St James holds some old and valuable items. In the 1950s, Pevsner observed some special church plate. This included an Elizabethan chalice (a cup used for communion) and a paten (a small plate for the bread). The paten was made by Thomas Parr in the year 1700. These items show the long history of the church and its services.
Church Community
The Church of St James is part of a larger group of churches. It is linked with the churches in Combe Down and Monkton Combe. This group is part of the archdeaconry of Bath.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
