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 located in Farleigh Hungerford, a village in Somerset, England. It was officially opened and dedicated in the year 1443. This church is considered a very important historical building. It has a special status called a Grade II* listed building, which means it's protected because of its historical and architectural value.
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About the Church of St Leonard
The Church of St Leonard is a beautiful example of old English architecture. It has stood for centuries, watching over the village of Farleigh Hungerford. It's a place where people have gathered for worship and community events for a very long time.
History of the Church
Long ago, the church was actually inside the outer walls of Farleigh Hungerford Castle. But now, a main road separates it from the castle. The church was built because a man named Thomas Hungerford of Rowden wanted a new place for local people to worship. He didn't want them to use the chapel inside the castle. He also wanted the new church to be his "chantry," which was a special place where prayers would be said for his soul after he died. So, he helped organize the building of this new church.
Special Features
The church has a tall West Tower built in a style called "perpendicular." This tower has three main sections. You can see pairs of stone gargoyles on each side of the tower. Gargoyles are carved stone figures, often shaped like monsters, that were originally used as water spouts on buildings.
Inside the church, you can still find some beautiful stained glass windows from the 14th century. These old windows are in the north window of the nave (the main part of the church where people sit) and in the east Chancel window (the area near the altar). These stained glass pieces originally came from a region called Flanders, which is now part of Belgium.
The church also has a wooden altar rail from the 17th century. This rail is carved with fancy designs and figures. The pulpit, which is where the priest gives sermons, was made in the early 18th century. It is decorated with carvings of eagles and angels.
Restoring the Church
Over the years, old buildings like the Church of St Leonard need repairs and updates. In 1856, the church went through a big renovation called a Victorian restoration. This means it was repaired and updated during the Victorian era, which was a time when many old churches were restored to look their best.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St Leonard is part of a group of churches called the benefice of Hardington Vale. This group is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger area managed by the Church of England. The church continues to be an active place of worship and an important historical landmark.
