Church of St Martin, Elworthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Martin |
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| Location | Elworthy, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St Martin | |
| Designated | 22 May 1969 |
| Reference no. | 1057601 |
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The Church of St Martin is a very old and special church located in the small village of Elworthy, in Somerset, England. It is named after a saint called Martin of Tours. This church was built a long, long time ago, in the 1200s! It's so important that it's officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's a building of special historical interest.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
The Church of St Martin has been around for many centuries. Different parts of the church were built or changed at different times. This shows how buildings can evolve over hundreds of years.
The Oldest Parts of the Church
The church's tower is one of its oldest sections. It was built in the 1200s, just like the rest of the original church. This tower has two main levels and a top edge with a pattern called "crenellated," which looks like the top of a castle wall.
Later Additions and Changes
Later on, in the late 1400s, the church's porch and the roof over the main part of the church (called the nave) were added. The chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, was rebuilt twice. First, it was rebuilt in 1695, and then again in 1846.
What the Church is Made Of
The church is built from red sandstone, which is a common building material in the area. It also has special decorative parts made from Ham stone. The roof is covered with slate tiles.
A Special Font Inside
Inside the church, you can find a very unusual baptismal font. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This one is made from a smooth, white stone called alabaster. The stone came from a quarry near a place called Watchet.
The Church's Role Today
Over time, the way the church serves its community has changed. It is no longer used for regular church services.
Becoming a Chapelry
In 1969, the parish of Elworthy became a "chapelry" of Monksilver. This means it became a smaller church connected to the main church in Monksilver. It was part of a larger group of churches that included Brompton Ralph and Nettlecombe.
A Church in Trust
Today, the Church of St Martin is a "redundant church." This doesn't mean it's useless! It means it's no longer needed for daily worship. Instead, it is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust looks after old churches to make sure they are preserved for the future. The church officially became part of the Trust's care on December 19, 1979.
See also
