Church of St John the Baptist, Pawlett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist |
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Bell tower of St John the Baptist church
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Pawlett |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°10′44″N 3°00′05″W / 51.1788°N 3.0014°W |
| Completed | 12th century |
The Church of St John the Baptist in Pawlett, England, is a very old church. It was built in the 1100s! It's so important that it's a 'Grade I listed building,' which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.
This church was built by the Normans, a group of people who came to England a long time ago. It replaced an even older church built by the Anglo-Saxons. People believe it was a popular stop for pilgrims – travelers on religious journeys – who were going from Watchet to Glastonbury in the Middle Ages.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The Church of St John the Baptist has a long and interesting past. It stands where an even older Anglo-Saxon church once stood. This shows how important this spot has been for hundreds of years.
What is Norman Architecture?
The church is a great example of Norman architecture. This style was popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Norman buildings are known for being strong and solid. They often have thick walls and round arches.
Pilgrimages in Medieval Times
In the Middle Ages, many people went on pilgrimages. These were journeys to holy places. The Church of St John the Baptist was a popular stop. It was on a route from Watchet to Glastonbury. Glastonbury was a very important religious site.
Unique Features of the Church
This church has many special details that you won't see everywhere. These features tell us a lot about life long ago.
The South Doorway Arch
Look closely at the arch over the south door. It has three cool patterns! You can see diamond shapes, zigzag lines, and even tiny 'biting beasts' carved into the stone. These carvings are very old and show amazing craftsmanship.
The Baptismal Font
The baptismal font, where baptisms happen, is really unique. It looks like two different fonts stacked together. The bottom part is actually an old Saxon font turned upside down! It supports an upright Norman font on top. This makes it a very rare piece of history.
The Rood Screen
Inside the church, you'll find a beautiful rood screen. This screen was built in the 1400s. It used to separate the main part of the church from the altar area. It's a wonderful example of medieval art.
The North Window's Stained Glass
The north window has special stained glass from the 1900s. It shows Christ blessing children. What's interesting is that the children are wearing modern clothes. One even holds a teddy bear and another has a toy boat! This window remembers a woman named Rose Helena Wadden. She taught the first children's Sunday School class in Bridgwater.
Pew Boxes and Hat Pegs
The church still has its old pew boxes. These are like small enclosed seating areas. Even more interesting, some still have hat pegs! This shows that people used to wear hats to church and hang them up during the service.
Wide Communion Rails
The chancel, which is the area around the altar, has wide communion rails. They go around three sides. People think these wide rails were used for seated communion. This was a different way of taking communion than what is common today.
Why These Old Features Remain
Many old churches were changed a lot in the Victorian era (the 1800s). But the Church of St John the Baptist kept its unique features. This is partly because of major renovations done in 1779. These updates were seen as 'modern' at the time. This meant people didn't feel the need to change things again later. So, many ancient parts of the church were saved!
Building Materials
The church was built using a type of stone called blue lias. Over time, this stone started to crumble. To protect the church, its outside was covered with cement. This helped keep the old building safe.
Images for kids
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South side of St John the Baptist church
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Norman arch over south door, St John the Baptist church
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Inverted Saxon baptismal font supporting upright Norman font
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North window stained glass with modern-era children memorializes Rose Helena Wadden, said to have taught the first children's Sunday School class in Bridgwater
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Rood screen and altar
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Pew boxes still include pegs for hanging up hats
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
