Church of St Mary Magdalene, Great Elm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary Magdalene |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Great Elm |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°14′33″N 2°21′53″W / 51.2425°N 2.3647°W |
| Completed | 12th century |
The Church of St Mary Magdalene is an old church located in Great Elm, a village in Somerset, England. This church was built a very long time ago, in the 12th century. It is considered a very important historical building and is listed as a Grade I building. This means it has special historical or architectural importance.
History of the Church
The Church of St Mary Magdalene has changed over many years. In the 13th century, the main part of the church, called the nave, was made longer. The nave is the central area where people sit during services. Around the year 1240, a tall tower was likely added to the church.
At the same time, the chancel, which is the area near the altar, was also made wider. Even though the church was updated in the early 1600s, you can still see parts of the original Norman architecture. Norman architecture is a style from the time of the Normans, who came to England in 1066.
Building Details
The walls of the church show a special pattern called herringbone pattern masonry. This means the stones are laid in a zigzag shape, like the bones of a fish. The church's tower has three levels and strong supports called buttresses at its corners. These buttresses help hold the walls up. The tower also has a unique saddleback roof, which looks like a saddle with two slopes.
Inside the Church
Inside the Church of St Mary Magdalene, you can find some interesting old features. Some of the wooden seats, called box pews, are from the Jacobean era. This was a period in English history during the early 17th century.
There is also a pulpit from the 17th century. A pulpit is a raised platform where a preacher stands to give a sermon. At the west end of the church, there is a gallery that looks like it's from the Jacobean period. This gallery was once used by the church choir and for the organ.
Church Community
The Church of St Mary Magdalene is part of a group of churches in the area. This group is called a benefice, and it includes churches in nearby villages like Mells, Buckland Dinham, Whatley, and Chantry. All these churches belong to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger area managed by a bishop in the Church of England.
