Church of St John the Baptist, Chilcompton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist |
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| Location | Chilcompton, Somerset, England |
| Built | 15th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 21 September 1960 |
| Reference no. | 1345096 |
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The Church of St John the Baptist is an old and important church located in the village of Chilcompton, in the English county of Somerset. It is a special building that was mostly built in the 15th century. Because of its history and design, it is recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The very first mention of a church on this spot was in the year 1188. At that time, it was given to Wells Cathedral, a much larger and famous church nearby. This shows that people have been worshipping here for a very long time!
Building the Church
The church you see today has been built and changed over many centuries. The tall, strong tower, which has two main sections and a decorative top, was built around 1460. This tower is home to twelve bells that ring out over the village.
Later, in 1839, the main part of the church, called the nave, and the side sections, known as aisles, were finished by a builder named Jesse Gane. Even more changes happened in 1897. The chancel (the area around the altar) and the small chapels on either side were added. This work was part of a big project to restore and update the church, led by Frederick Bligh Bond. Today, a modern covered walkway connects the church to the nearby parish hall.
Protecting the Church's Future
In 2015, the Church of St John the Baptist was added to the Heritage at Risk Register. This happened because the stonework was getting damaged by water and frost. Being on this list means the church needs special attention and repairs to keep it safe for future generations. Luckily, money has been made available to help fix the roof, which is a big step in protecting this historic building.
The Church Community Today
The church is part of a larger group of churches in the area. Its parish (the area it serves) is now joined with the parish of Saint Vigor in Stratton-on-the-Fosse. Together, they form a larger church community called the benefice of Chilcompton with Downside and Stratton on the Fosse. This group is part of the wider Diocese of Bath and Wells, which oversees many churches in the region.
See Also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
