Church of St Laurence, East Harptree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Laurence |
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| Location | East Harptree, Somerset England |
| Built | Late 12th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 21 September 1960 |
| Reference no. | 1312831 |
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The Church of St Laurence is a historic church located in East Harptree, a village in Somerset, England. It was first built a very long time ago, in the late 1100s. This church is considered a special building because it is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is an important historical site that needs to be protected.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
The Church of St Laurence has grown and changed over many centuries. The first church was built in the late 12th century. Later, in the 13th century, more parts were added to make it bigger.
The Tower's Story
The tall tower you see on the west side of the church was built in the 15th century. It has three main sections and is supported by strong diagonal walls called buttresses. These help the tower stand tall and firm. In 1633, the top edge of the tower, called the parapet, was repaired. The tower also has a small, many-sided turret in one corner. Look closely, and you might spot some cool stone carvings called gargoyles just below the parapet! Inside the tower, there are six bells that ring out for the village.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the church has had many updates. For example, new seats were put in during repairs that happened in the 1880s. The church is still an active place of worship today. It is part of a group of churches in the local area, including those in West Harptree and Hinton Blewett.
Exploring Inside the Church
When you step inside the Church of St Laurence, you'll find many interesting features from different time periods.
The Newton Family Tomb
In a special area near the entrance, called the Norman porch, there is a large tomb. This is the tomb of Sir John Newton, who passed away in 1568. His statue shows him wearing armor, lying next to his wife, Margaret. The front of the tomb has carvings of their many children – eight sons and twelve daughters – all kneeling. A beautiful canopy, held up by six decorated columns, covers the tomb. This tomb used to be in a different part of the church, but it was moved to the porch in 1883.
Old Features: Font and Pulpit
In the main part of the church, called the nave, you can see a very old font. This font, used for baptisms, dates back to the Norman times, which means it's from the 11th or 12th century! There's also a pulpit, where sermons are given, that was made in the Jacobean style. This style was popular in the early 1600s.
The Stained Glass Window
The church has a beautiful stained glass window created by an artist named Karl Parsons. This window was put in place in 1919 as a special memorial to the eight men from the village who lost their lives in World War I. The window has three sections. The middle section shows St George, a famous saint. On the left, you can see St Laurence, and on the right, St Agnes, who is shown holding a lamb.
The Church Organ
The church also has an organ, which is a large musical instrument. This organ has two keyboards and is powered by electricity. It was made by a company called Vowles from Bristol. The organ was given a fresh update and repaired in 2009, so it sounds great for services.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
