Church of St Mary, Witham Friary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Witham Friary |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°10′07″N 2°22′03″W / 51.1686°N 2.3675°W |
| Completed | c. 1200 |
The Church of St Mary in Witham Friary, Somerset, England, is a very old church. It was built around the year 1200. This church is considered very important and special. It has been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in England.
Contents
History of the Church
The Church of St Mary was once part of a larger religious community. This community was called a priory. A priory is like a monastery where monks live and pray. This specific priory was named Witham Charterhouse. It was a Carthusian priory, which means it belonged to a special group of monks.
How the Priory Started
The priory was founded in 1182 by King Henry II. He was a powerful king of England. It is believed to be the very first Carthusian house in England. There were only nine Carthusian houses in the whole country.
What Happened to the Priory?
Sadly, the priory did not last forever. It was closed down during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This happened in England when King Henry VIII closed many monasteries and priories. At that time, the priory was valued at about £227. That would be worth around £52,000 in today's money (based on 2006 values).
About the Church Building
The church building you see today has changed over many years. It started around 1200. In 1828, some parts were updated. Then, in 1875, it was largely rebuilt and made bigger. This work was done by an architect named William White. He used a style called "Muscular Gothic."
What the Church Looks Like
The church is built from local limestone. It has strong, large supports on the outside called buttresses. These help hold up the walls. The main part of the church where people sit is called the nave. It has three sections. The area near the altar, called the chancel, is continuous and has a rounded end.
Inside the Church
When you go inside, you enter through a doorway built in the Norman style. This style is very old and simple. The inside walls are covered with plaster.
There are some interesting old items inside:
- A font from around 1450. This is a stone basin used for baptisms.
- A Jacobean pulpit. This is where the priest gives sermons. It has some older medieval parts.
- A royal coat of arms from 1660. This is a symbol of the king or queen. It is located at the west end of the church.
- The stained glass windows. These beautiful windows have small pieces of very old medieval glass. The windows on the south side were made by Sir Ninian Comper.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
- List of towers in Somerset
