Church of St Mary the Virgin, Barrington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin, Barrington
Location	Barrington, Somerset, England
Built	13th century
Listed Building – Grade I
Designated	17 April 1959
Reference no.	264319
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The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Barrington, Somerset, England, is a very old and special church. It was built way back in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! Because of its history and beautiful design, it has been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's considered one of the most important historic buildings in England.

Exploring St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church has a main area called the nave, which is where people sit during services. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar, often used by the choir and clergy.

The Unique Octagonal Tower

One of the most interesting parts of the church is its tower. It's not square like many church towers; instead, it's shaped like an octagon, which means it has eight sides! Inside this tower, there's a bell that was made in 1743. That bell is over 280 years old and was crafted by a famous bell-making family called the Bilbie family.

Inside the Church: Special Features

In the south side of the church, there's a section called the transept. Here, you can find a special stone basin from the 13th century called a piscina. A piscina was used in churches to wash the sacred vessels after a service. This one has a beautiful stone canopy over it.

You'll also see a pulpit inside the church. A pulpit is a raised platform where the priest or minister stands to give sermons. The one at St Mary's was made in the 19th century, but it might include pieces from an even older pulpit.

Images for kids

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  The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Barrington.

See Also

• Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
• List of Somerset towers