Church of St Mary Magdalene, Winsford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary Magdalene |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Winsford |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°06′13″N 3°33′57″W / 51.1037°N 3.5659°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Mary Magdalene is a very old and special church located in Winsford, a village in Somerset, England. This church has been around since the Norman times, even before the 13th century! It's so important that English Heritage has given it a special title: a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England and is protected.
Contents
A Look Inside This Historic Church
The Church of St Mary Magdalene is dedicated to Mary Magdalene. It has been carefully looked after over the centuries. Some parts of the church were restored in 1858 to keep it in good condition.
The Tall Tower and Its Bells
The church has a tall tower that stands about 90 feet (27 meters) high. It was built in three main sections, one on top of the other. Inside the tower, there are six bells! Four of the heaviest bells were made by a famous bell-making family, the Bilbies, in a town called Cullompton back in 1765. Imagine how loud they must have been!
Treasures Inside the Church
When you step inside the church, you can find many interesting things from different periods of history.
The Painted Panel
One special item is a beautiful painted panel. It was created in 1609, during the time when King James I ruled England. This panel tells stories or shows important figures from that era.
Old Ironwork and the Font
The inner doors of the church have amazing ironwork. Experts believe this ironwork dates all the way back to the 13th century. It might have originally come from a nearby priory (a type of monastery) called St Nichola in Barlynch. Also, the font, which is a basin used for baptisms, is from the very old Norman period.
The Organ and Church Records
The church also has an organ that was put in around 1900. It was a big job to get it there! The organ was delivered by a horse-drawn wagon all the way from nearby Dulverton. The church also keeps very old records, called a church register, which go back to 1660. These records help us learn about the people who lived in Winsford many years ago.
