Church of St Leonard, Farleigh Hungerford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Leonard |
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| Location | Farleigh Hungerford, Somerset, England |
| Built | 1443 |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 11 March 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1174661 |
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The Church of St Leonard is an old church in Farleigh Hungerford, a village in Somerset, England. It was officially opened in 1443. This church is a very important historic building, known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.
Contents
Discovering St Leonard's Church History
Long ago, this church was actually inside the outer walls of Farleigh Hungerford Castle. Today, a main road separates the church from the castle.
A person named Thomas Hungerford helped build this church. He had a chapel inside the castle. However, he wanted to use that castle chapel for his own private prayers. He also didn't want local villagers to enter the castle to attend church. So, he decided to build a new church for everyone outside the castle walls.
Exploring the Church's Design
The Church of St Leonard has a special design called the Perpendicular style. You can see this style in its tall West Tower. This tower has three levels. On each side of the tower, you can spot two stone gargoyles. These are carved figures that often look like monsters.
Inside the Church
Inside the church, you can find some very old stained glass. Some pieces are from the 14th century. You can see them in a window in the north part of the nave (the main area of the church). There are also pieces in the east Chancel window. These beautiful glass pieces came from Flanders, which is now part of Belgium.
The church also has a wooden altar rail from the 1600s. It has detailed carvings with open designs and figures. The pulpit, where the priest speaks, is from the early 1700s. It is carved with images of eagles and angels.
Modern Changes and Use
The church was repaired and updated in 1856. This type of work is often called a Victorian restoration.
Today, the Church of St Leonard is part of a group of churches called the benefice of Hardington Vale. This group belongs to the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
