Church of St Martin, North Stoke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Martin |
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| Location | North Stoke, Somerset, England |
| Built | 12th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St Martin | |
| Designated | 1 February 1956 |
| Reference no. | 1215229 |
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The Church of St Martin is a very old church located in North Stoke, Somerset, England. It was first built in the 12th century. This historic building is so important that it is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a special place that needs to be protected.
Contents
A Long History
This church has a truly ancient past. People believe there was a church on this spot as early as the year 360 AD. Even before that, it might have been the site of an old Roman temple. Imagine how many different people have visited this very same place over hundreds of years!
Building Through the Ages
The oldest parts of the church you see today were built in the 12th century. This includes the tall, two-part tower on the west side. Many other parts of the church were added or changed between the 13th and 16th centuries.
In the 1800s, the church had a big makeover. This was called a Victorian restoration. During this time, many parts of the building were fixed or replaced. More recently, in 2012, the church had more repairs. This included new electrical wiring and fixes to the roof.
Church Life Today
The Church of St Martin is part of a group of churches. It works together with the churches in Weston and Langridge. On January 10, 2021, the church was even featured on BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship program.
Inside and Out
The church has a tower, a main area called the nave, and a special section near the altar called the chancel. There's also a porch on the south side where people enter.
Special Features Inside
One of the most interesting things inside the church is the baptismal font. This is a large basin used for baptisms. It was carved from what used to be a "sacrificial altar." This means it might have been used in ancient religious ceremonies long ago. You can also find monuments from the 1700s inside the church.
The Churchyard
Outside, in the churchyard, there's a very old yew tree. These trees can live for thousands of years, so this one has probably seen a lot of history too!
