Church of St Mary, North Petherton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | North Petherton, Somerset |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°05′32″N 3°00′53″W / 51.0922°N 3.0148°W |
| Completed | 15th century |
The Church of St Mary is a very old and special church in North Petherton, Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old! Because it's so old and important, it's been given a special title called a 'grade I listed building'. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
However, parts of the church need some care. It is currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. This list includes important old buildings that need repairs to their roof and other parts.
History of St Mary's Church
There was a church in North Petherton even before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The land where the church stands belonged to a group of monks called Buckland Priory starting in the 1100s.
The church building you see today was mostly built around 1490. This was when the town of North Petherton was growing bigger. Some parts of the church are even older, dating back to the 1200s.
The Amazing Tower
The church has a really impressive tower. It stands 112 feet (34 metres) tall! A famous expert named Nickolaus Pevsner said it was one of the best towers in the whole county. The tower was finished around 1508.
Inside the tower, there are six bells that can be rung in a special way. There is also a clock that was made in Bridgwater in 1807. If you look closely at the stone on the tower, you might spot some interesting carvings called hunky punks. These are like gargoyles, often shaped like animals.
Inside the Church
When you go inside St Mary's Church, you'll find some cool old features. There's a special balcony called a minstrel gallery, which was added in 1623. Imagine musicians playing there long ago!
You can also see a beautiful wooden pulpit where the priest speaks. This pulpit was carved in the 15th century. A fancy brass chandelier was added to the church in 1984, bringing light to the old space.
The church is part of a larger group of churches called the Alfred Jewel benefice. This group is within the Sedgemoor area.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
