Church of St Mary Magdalene, Chewton Mendip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary Magdalene |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Chewton Mendip |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°16′34″N 2°34′48″W / 51.2761°N 2.5799°W |
| Completed | 1440s |
The Church of St Mary Magdalene is an old church in Chewton Mendip, Somerset, England. It was mostly built in the 1540s and is a very important historic building, known as a Grade I listed building. The church is named after Mary Magdalene, a friend of Jesus.
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
This church has a super long history, going back to Saxon times (over 1000 years ago!). People have been building and changing parts of it since the 12th century. The main church you see today was started in 1441 by Carthusian monks. It even has some older parts from the Norman period, like the north doorway. The tall tower was added in 1541.
Long ago, this church was a main church for the area. It had smaller chapels in nearby villages like Ston Easton and Paulton. After William the Conqueror took over England, he gave the church to a French abbey called Jumièges Abbey. Later, King Henry V gave it to a priory (a type of monastery) in Surrey. This priory owned the church until the time when many monasteries were closed down in England.
In a book from 1929, the church was called "singularly interesting." The writers said it had "one of the most stately towers in the county." They also noted the special double windows on the tower. Inside, they mentioned a cool old Norman doorway at the north entrance.
The church also has a special stone seat called a 'frid stool'. This seat was for anyone who needed sanctuary (safety) inside the church. It's the only one of its kind left in Somerset.
Church Design and Features
The church is built from Lias Stone. Its impressive tower is made of Doulting Stone and stands about 126-foot (38 m) tall. The tower was still being finished in 1541. It holds a bell from 1753 and a set of eight bells made by Taylor's of Loughborough.
Inside the Church: Ornaments and Art
Near the altar, you can see the 'frid stool' we talked about. It was a rough stone seat where people could find safety. The church also has monuments to important people from the past. These include Sir Henry Fitzroger and his wife, who died in 1388. There's also a monument to Frances, Lady Waldegrave, from 1879. The Waldegrave family has owned land in Chewton since 1553.
Most of the stained glass windows are from the 1800s. However, some older pieces from the 1400s and even earlier are still in the chancel window. The glass in the north window of the chancel has a very interesting story. Some pieces showing the Virgin Mary weeping were found in a ditch near Glastonbury. They were later used to create a window in a summerhouse. When the old vicarage was sold in 1956, the glass was found again. Experts identified some pieces as very old, possibly from the 1200s or 1300s! These old pieces were then combined with existing glass to make new designs.
You can also find three piscinae (small basins for washing communion vessels), two old chests, and carved bench ends from the 1500s. The round, Early English font stands under the tower.
The Churchyard Cross
In the churchyard, there is a stone cross from the 1400s. This cross is also a very important historic structure, just like the church itself. It has a special status as a Grade I listed building.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
