Church of St John the Baptist, Carhampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Carhampton |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°10′29″N 3°25′07″W / 51.1746°N 3.4186°W |
| Completed | 1863 |
The Church of St John the Baptist is a beautiful and historic church located in the village of Carhampton, Somerset, England. It is an Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England. This church is very special because it is a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered one of the most important historical buildings in England and is protected so it can be preserved for many years to come.
A Look at Its History
Long, long ago, there was an even older church in Carhampton. It stood a little to the east of where the current church is now. That first church was named after a Welsh monk called St Carantoc, who lived around the 500s.
The church you see today was mostly built in the 1400s. This was during a time known as the Perpendicular period, which was a style of Gothic architecture with tall windows and straight lines.
However, the church has been changed and updated over the years. A lot of work was done between 1862 and 1863 to rebuild much of it. The church's tower was also rebuilt a few years later, from 1868 to 1870. Before these changes, the tower was lower and had a tiled roof.
Inside the Church
Even though the church was rebuilt, some parts from the older building were kept. For example, the wooden pulpit, where sermons are given, dates back to around the year 1500. There is also a painted wooden screen from the same time. These pieces give us a glimpse into what the church looked like centuries ago.
Some of the monuments and bells inside the church are also very old. They were moved from the earlier church to the current one. These items help tell the story of the church and the people who worshipped there throughout history.
More About the Church
The Church of St John the Baptist is part of a larger group of churches in the area. This group is called the benefice of Dunster, Carhampton, Withycombe with Roduish, Timberscombe, and Wootton Courtenay. This group is part of the Exmoor deanery and the Taunton archdeanery, which are ways the church organizes its different areas.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
