Church of St John the Baptist, Axbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Axbridge |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°17′16″N 2°49′00″W / 51.2877°N 2.8166°W |
| Completed | c.1400 |
| Renovated | 1888 |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | J. D. Sedding |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated: | 9 February 1961 |
| Reference #: | 1173117 |
The Church of St John the Baptist in Axbridge, Somerset, England, is a very old and important church. It was first built in the 13th century. Today, it is known as a special Grade I listed building. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in England and is protected.
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Building History and Materials
Work on the church you see today began in the early 1400s. It grew from an even older church that was there around 1230. The church is made from strong limestone. It also has pretty decorations made from Doulting stone. The steps are quite unique. They are made from a rock called puddingstone. It looks like it has pebbles mixed in, just like a pudding!
The Tower and Its Features
The church has a tall tower, built around 1400. It stands over 30 meters (100 feet) high! Inside, it holds six bells. One of these bells is very old, made in 1723. It was created by a famous bell-making family called the Bilbies.
Look closely at the tower! On the east side, there is a statue of St John the Baptist. The church is named after him. On the west side, you might spot a statue of a king. Many people think it is King Henry VII. If so, it would have been added after 1485.
Inside the Church
The ceiling in the North aisle still has some painted panels from the Middle Ages. Among the carved decorations, you can find the head of a Green Man. This is a mythical figure with leaves sprouting around his face. The roof over the main part of the church, called the nave, is from 1636. It is in a style called Jacobean.
The church was carefully repaired and updated in the 1880s. This work was done by an architect named John Dando Sedding.
Churchyard and Memorials
The churchyard is the area around the church. It contains a special grave from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This grave belongs to a soldier from the Dorsetshire Regiment who died during World War II.
More to Explore
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
