Church of St Mary, Orchardleigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Lullington |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°15′28″N 2°19′33″W / 51.2578°N 2.3259°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Mary is a very old church from the 13th century. It is located on the beautiful Orchardleigh Estate in Somerset, England. This church is special because it sits on its own island in a lake!
What is the Church of St Mary?
The Church of St Mary is a historic building that has stood for hundreds of years. It was built in the 1200s, which is a very long time ago! Imagine all the history this church has seen.
Where is the Church of St Mary located?
This unique church is found on an island in Orchardleigh Lake. This lake is man-made and covers about 11 hectares (that's like 27 football fields!). The church is part of the Orchardleigh Estate, near the village of Lullington in Somerset, England.
How old is the Church of St Mary?
The church was built in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! In 1878, a famous architect named Sir George Gilbert Scott helped restore it. This was done for the Duckworth family, who owned the estate at that time. Because of its age and importance, it is now a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a very important historic site.
What special features does the church have?
Even after all these years, the church still has some of its original sculptures from the 1300s. It also has beautiful stained glass windows from the 1400s. Around 1800, the estate owner, Thomas Champneys, had a moat dug around the church. This made it even more like a castle on an island!
Who is buried at the Church of St Mary?
The church is the resting place for the famous poet Henry Newbolt and his wife. She was a member of the Duckworth family, who were connected to the estate.
Visiting the Church of St Mary today
Today, the Church of St Mary is a popular place for weddings. It can hold up to 120 guests.
How do you get to the church?
You can reach the church island by walking across a footbridge from the mainland. There's also a public footpath nearby that crosses another bridge over the lake. This means people can enjoy walks around the area.
What is unique about services at the church?
The church does not have electricity. This means that all services are held by candlelight, which must create a very special atmosphere! The organ is also pumped by hand, showing how things were done in the past.
What is the church's role in the community?
The Church of St Mary is an Anglican church. It is part of a group of churches in the area, including those in Beckington, Standerwick, Berkley, and Rodden.
Has the church been in movies?
Yes, the church was used as a filming location in 1974! It appeared in a BBC show called The Treasure of Abbot Thomas. This was a ghost story that was part of the A Ghost Story for Christmas series.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
