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 is a very old church located in Pawlett, a village in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! Because it's so important and historic, it's been given a special status called a Grade I listed building. This means it's protected and recognized as a building of great national importance.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
This church, built in the Norman style, replaced an even older building from the Saxon times. Imagine, people have been worshipping here for a very long time! In the Middle Ages, many people went on special journeys called pilgrimages. This church was a popular stop for pilgrims traveling from Watchet to Glastonbury.
Amazing Old Features
Look closely at the arch over the south door. It has amazing decorations! You can see three different patterns: diamond shapes (called lozenges), zigzag lines, and even a design of 'biting beasts' on the outside edge. These carvings are very old and beautiful.
Inside, you'll find the baptismal font. This is a special basin used for baptisms. What's cool about this one is that it seems to be made from two different parts. The bottom part might be an upside-down font from the Saxon period, with a plainer Norman font placed on top.
The Rood Screen and Windows
The rood screen is a beautiful wooden screen that separates the main part of the church from the altar area. This one dates back to the 15th century.
The church also has a special stained-glass window from the 20th century. It shows Christ blessing children. What makes it unusual is that the children are wearing modern clothes and holding toys like a teddy bear and a toy boat! This window remembers Rose Helena Wadden, who taught the first children's Sunday School class in Bridgwater.
Unique Pew Boxes
Another interesting feature is the old wooden pew boxes. These are like small enclosed seating areas. They still have little pegs where people used to hang their hats when they came to church. This shows how things were done long ago!
The chancel, which is the area around the altar, has wide communion rails on three sides. People think these were used for seated communion, which is not common today.
Why the Church Looks So Old
Many of these unique and ancient features are still here because of some big changes made in 1779. This "modernization" actually helped protect the church from later updates in the Victorian era. During that time, many other churches were changed a lot, and some of their old features were removed.
The church's walls are made from a type of stone called Blue Lias. This stone started to crumble over time. So, the outside of the church was covered with cement to protect it.
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
