Church of St John the Baptist, Hinton Charterhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist |
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| Location | Hinton Charterhouse, Somerset, England |
| Built | 12th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 1 February 1956 |
| Reference no. | 1136127 |
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The Church of St John the Baptist is a very old church in the village of Hinton Charterhouse, Somerset, England. It's an Anglican church, meaning it's part of the Church of England. This special building was constructed way back in the 12th century. Today, it is recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a really important historical site.
This church is even older than the nearby Hinton Priory, a monastery built in 1232 by a group of monks called Carthusians. A powerful woman named Ela, Countess of Salisbury, started the priory. For many years, the monks at the priory had special rights over the church. They could collect payments (called tithes) from the village. They also had the power to choose the local priest, known as the vicar. This arrangement continued until 1539, when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England during what was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Contents
Building the Church: A Timeline
Early Additions and Changes
The Church of St John the Baptist has changed quite a bit over the centuries. In the 13th century, about 100 years after the church was first built, some new parts were added. Workers built a south chapel, which is a smaller room often used for prayer. They also added a porch, which is a covered entrance at the front of the church. These additions helped the church grow and serve its community better.
Restoring the Church's Beauty
Over hundreds of years, buildings need repairs and updates. The Church of St John the Baptist has gone through several periods of restoration. This means fixing and improving parts of the building to keep it strong and beautiful. In 1770, the church's tall, three-part tower was restored. Later, in the 19th century, more major restoration work took place. This period is often called Victorian restoration because it happened during Queen Victoria's reign. These efforts helped preserve the church for future generations.
The Church Today
The Church of St John the Baptist is still an active church today. It is part of a larger group of churches that work together. This group includes the churches in Freshford, Limpley Stoke, and Hinton Charterhouse. They all belong to the area known as the archdeaconry of Bath, which is a part of the wider Church of England structure.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
