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 a very old church located in Great Elm, a village in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! This church is so important that it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a building of special historical interest and is protected.
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What Makes This Church Special?
The Church of St Mary Magdalene has a long history, with parts of it being changed and added to over hundreds of years.
How the Church Grew Over Time
In the 13th century, the main part of the church, called the nave (where the people sit), was made longer. Around the same time, a tall tower was likely added, possibly around the year 1240. 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 12th-century building. This older style is known as Norman architecture or Romanesque architecture. Look closely at the walls, and you might spot a special pattern called herringbone masonry, where the stones are laid like fish bones.
The church's tower has three levels and strong corner supports called buttresses. It also has a unique saddleback roof, which looks like a saddle because it slopes down on two sides.
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you'll see some interesting old features. Some of the box pews (which are like enclosed seating areas) are from the Jacobean era. This was a period in English history when King James I ruled, in the early 17th century.
There's also a pulpit from the 1600s. A pulpit is a raised stand where the priest gives sermons. At the back of the church, there's a gallery that looks like it's from the Jacobean period. This gallery used to be where the choir sang and the organ was played.
The Church Today
The Church of St Mary Magdalene is still an active church today. It's part of a group of churches in the area, including those in Mells, Buckland Dinham, Whatley, and Chantry. These churches all belong to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger church area.
