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Church of St Margaret, Middle Chinnock facts for kids

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Church of St Margaret
St. Margaret, Middle Chinnock - geograph.org.uk - 120216.jpg
Location Middle Chinnock, Somerset, England
Built 12th century
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Church of St Margaret
Designated 19 April 1961
Reference no. 1057169
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The Church of St Margaret is a historic church located in Middle Chinnock, a small village in Somerset, England. It is an Anglican church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England. This special building was first built way back in the 12th century.

Today, the Church of St Margaret is recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic site. It has special protection to make sure it stays preserved for many years to come.

History of St Margaret's Church

The main part of the Church of St Margaret was constructed in the 1100s. Imagine, that's over 900 years ago! Later, in the 14th or 15th centuries (the 1300s or 1400s), a tall tower and a porch were added to the church. These additions changed its look quite a bit.

In the 1800s, the church got a big makeover. This was called a Victorian restoration. During this time, some parts of the church were updated. For example, an old gallery inside the church was removed. These changes helped keep the church strong and beautiful.

The church is part of a larger group of churches in the area. It belongs to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a region managed by the Church of England.

What the Church Looks Like

The Church of St Margaret is built from a special local stone called hamstone. It has a roof made of slate tiles. The church building is about 57 feet (17 meters) long. It has a main open area called a nave and a smaller section near the altar called a chancel.

The church's tower stands about 40 feet (12 meters) tall. It has two main sections and is supported by strong buttresses. These are stone supports that help the walls stand firm.

Inside the church, you can find some very old and interesting items. There are decorative wooden panels and a special painted board called a hatchment. These pieces date from the 15th to the 17th centuries. There is also a font from the 12th century, which is used for baptisms.

One unique feature is a stone effigy (a statue) of a priest from the 14th century. This old statue was carefully repaired in 1928 by an expert named W. D. Caröe.

Outside in the churchyard, there is a war memorial. It has a tall, tapering stone shaft and a wheel cross at the top. You can also see a very old and large Yew tree. In 2014, this tree's trunk measured about 15 feet 11 inches (4.85 meters) around!

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