Church of St Mary, Oare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| Location | Oare, Somerset, England |
| Built | 15th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St Mary | |
| Designated | 22 May 1969 |
| Reference no. | 1345381 |
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The Church of St Mary is an old church located in Oare, a village in Somerset, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the 15th century. This church is considered very important historically and architecturally. It is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a special building that needs to be protected.
Church History
The oldest parts of the Church of St Mary are from the 15th century. These include the main part of the church, called the nave, and the inner part of the chancel (the area around the altar).
However, some parts of the church are newer. The outer chancel and the church tower were rebuilt in the 19th century. This means the church has a mix of very old and slightly newer sections.
The church is part of the local church area, known as the Diocese of Bath and Wells. This is like a district for churches, overseen by a bishop.
A Famous Story Connection
The Church of St Mary is famous for its connection to a well-known novel called Lorna Doone. The author, R. D. Blackmore, used this church as the setting for a wedding in his book. This is a special link because Blackmore's own grandfather was the rector (the main priest) of this very church for many years, from 1809 to 1842.
Church Design
The Church of St Mary is built from stone and has roofs made of slate. It has a main section, the nave, which is divided into three parts, or "bays." It also has two parts for the chancel, an inner and an outer section, each with one bay.
The church tower has three levels. It does not have buttresses, which are supports often found on old stone buildings.
Inside the Church
When you go inside the church, you can see some interesting old features:
- Box Pews: There are special seats called box pews from the 18th century. These are like small, enclosed boxes where families would sit during services.
- Norman Font: The church has a font that dates back to the Norman period, which was a very long time ago (around the 11th and 12th centuries). This ancient font sits on a base that was added in the 18th century.
- Piscina: There is also a 15th-century piscina. This is a stone basin with a drain, used for washing sacred vessels during church services. It has a "grotesque head" carved into it, which is a carving of a strange or funny face. People say this carving might represent St Decuman, an early saint.
