Church of St Mary the Virgin, East Stoke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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| Location | East Stoke, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England |
| Built | 12th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 19 April 1961 |
| Reference no. | 1260420 |
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The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a very old church in a place called East Stoke, in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 1100s! This church is so special that it's called a Grade I listed building. This means it's a really important historical building that needs to be protected. Long ago, it was known as the Church of Saint Denis.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
Most of the church, like the main part (called the nave) and the area around the altar (called the chancel), was built in a style called Norman architecture. This style was popular in England after the Normans arrived. You can see amazing stone carvings from that time. The church walls are held up by strong supports called pilaster buttresses.
How the Church Grew Over Time
Later, more parts were added to the church. The north transept, which is a side section, was built around the year 1225. The south transept, another side section, was added about 1300. This shows how the church changed and grew over many centuries.
The Church Tower and Its Carvings
The church has a tall tower with six bells inside. You can find many interesting medieval carvings on the church. These include abstract corbels, which are stone supports sticking out from the wall. There's also an astrological tympanum, which is a carved space above a doorway. One carving shows St Michael fighting a dragon. Some carvings are thought to be Sheela na Gigs, which are old, mysterious figures. The top part of the tower was built in the 1200s, and the decorative wall at the very top, called a parapet, was added in the 1400s.
Restoring the Church
Over the years, old buildings need repairs to stay strong. The Church of St Mary the Virgin was carefully restored in 1862. A person named Benjamin Ferrey was in charge of this important work.
The Church Today
The church is part of a larger group of churches called the benefice of Stoke-sub-Hamdon. This group is part of the Wells archdeaconry, which is a section of the church's administration.
Monuments at Risk
In the churchyard, there are two old monuments from the 1600s. These monuments are also important and are listed as Grade II* buildings. However, they have faced some problems. The ground underneath them has shifted, which is called subsidence. This has caused water to rise up into the stone, leading to salt crystallisation. This salt is damaging the old inscriptions on the monuments. Because of these issues, they have been added to the Heritage at Risk Register. This list helps make sure that important historical sites get the help they need to be preserved.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
