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 an important old church located in Barrow Gurney, a village in Somerset, England. It is a church that belongs to the Church of England.
This church was first built a very long time ago, in the 12th century. However, most of what you see today was rebuilt in the 1880s. Because of its history and special design, it has been given a special status as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
History of the Church
The Church of St Mary and St Edward has a rich history. It was originally connected to a nearby place called Barrow Gurney Nunnery. A nunnery was a home for nuns, who are women who dedicate their lives to religious service. This nunnery later became known as Barrow Court.
The church was first built in the 1100s. But in the late 1880s, between 1887 and 1890, it was almost completely rebuilt. A famous architect named Henry Woodyer led this big rebuilding project. It was done for Henry Martin Gibbs, whose father, William Gibbs, owned the grand Tyntesfield estate.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has a tall, three-part tower on its west side. This tower is topped with pointed decorations called pinnacles and a small spire, which is like a mini-steeple.
Inside, the church has a main area called the nave, which has four sections. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is located. The chancel has two sections and features a special floor made with a design called Cosmati work. This type of floor uses small pieces of colored stone to create beautiful patterns.
Keeping the Church in Good Shape
Old buildings like the Church of St Mary and St Edward need a lot of care. In 2013, people started asking for money to help fix parts of the church. These repairs included redecorating the inside and taking care of the church's organ. The organ is a large musical instrument, and this one was built around 1890 by a company called Vowles from Bristol. It has stayed mostly the same since it was first built.
The church is part of a larger group of churches in the area. This group includes churches from Long Ashton, Barrow Gurney, and Flax Bourton. They all work together within the larger church organization.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
