Church of St Mary and St Edward, Barrow Gurney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary and St Edward |
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| Location | Barrow Gurney, Somerset, England |
| Built | 12th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 11 October 1961 |
| Reference no. | 1311925 |
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The Church of St Mary and St Edward is a historic church located in the village of Barrow Gurney, in Somerset, England. It's an Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England. This beautiful building was first built way back in the 12th century. However, it was mostly rebuilt in the 1880s, giving it the look we see today. Because of its special history and architecture, it's officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical site that needs to be protected.
A Look at Its History
The Church of St Mary and St Edward has a long and interesting past. It was originally connected to a nearby place called Barrow Gurney Nunnery, which later became Barrow Court. The church was first built in the 1100s.
However, much of what you see today was rebuilt between 1887 and 1890. This big rebuilding project was led by an architect named Henry Woodyer. It was done for Henry Martin Gibbs, whose father, William Gibbs, owned the famous Tyntesfield estate.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has some cool features you might notice. It has a tall, three-stage tower on its west side. This tower is topped with pointy decorations called pinnacles and a small spire.
Inside, the church has a two-bay chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is. The floor in this area is made with a special kind of decorative stone work called Cosmati work. The main part of the church, where people sit, is called the nave, and it has four bays.
Keeping the Church in Good Shape
Old buildings like the Church of St Mary and St Edward need a lot of care to stay in good condition. In 2013, people started a special fundraising effort to help pay for repairs. These repairs included redecorating the inside of the church. They also planned to service the church's organ. This organ was built around 1890 by a company from Bristol called Vowles and had remained largely unchanged since then.
The church is part of a larger group of churches called a benefice. This group includes churches in Long Ashton, Barrow Gurney, and Flax Bourton. They are all part of the deanery of Portishead and the archdeaconry of Bath.
