Church of St Mary Magdalene, Cricket Malherbie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary Magdalene
Location	Cricket Malherbie, Somerset, England
Built	12th century. Rebuilt 1855
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Church of St Mary Magdalen
Designated	4 February 1958
Reference no.	1177461
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The Church of St Mary Magdalene is a historic Christian church located in Cricket Malherbie, a small village in Somerset, England. This beautiful building was first constructed in the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! It was later rebuilt in 1855, giving it the look we see today. It's recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historical site that needs to be protected.

A Look Back: The Church's History

This church has stood in Cricket Malherbie for a very long time. The original building was put up way back in the 1100s. Imagine how much history it has seen!

However, the church you see now is mostly from a big rebuilding project that happened around 1855. A man named Reverend James Mountford Allen was a key person in making this happen. He was a church leader and also the headmaster of a school in Ilminster at the time.

Today, the Church of St Mary Magdalene serves as the main church for the local area, including a nearby place called Knowle St Giles. The old church in Knowle St Giles is no longer used for services and has become a private home. This church is part of a larger group of churches called the Two Shires benefice, which is overseen by the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Exploring the Church's Design

The Church of St Mary Magdalene is built from a type of stone called hamstone, which is common in this part of England. Its roofs are covered with clay tiles and have decorative walls along the top called parapets.

The church's main part, where people sit, is called the nave, and it has three sections. The area near the altar is called the chancel, and it has two sections. There's also a part that sticks out on the north side, known as a transept.

The church has a tall, three-story tower that is supported by strong corner structures called buttresses. On top of the tower, there's a pointed roof called a spire, reaching towards the sky.

Inside the church, many of the decorations and even the memorials for people who have passed away are from the mid-1800s, when the church was rebuilt. The wall around the churchyard and the special gate at the entrance, called a lychgate, were also added around the 1850s.

See also

• List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells