Church of St Mary the Virgin, Nettlecombe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Nettlecombe |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°07′44″N 3°21′06″W / 51.1289°N 3.3518°W |
| Completed | 14th century |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England is a very old and special church. It was built a long time ago, mostly in the 13th and 14th centuries. This means parts of it are over 700 years old! Because of its history and beauty, it is officially a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England.
Contents
Where is the Church Located?
The church stands within the large grounds of Nettlecombe Court. Nettlecombe Court was once a grand country house. In the early 1960s, it became a boarding school for girls. Since 1967, it has been known as the Leonard Wills Field Centre. This center is run by the Field Studies Council. It helps people learn about nature and the outdoors.
Nettlecombe Park and Its Importance
The house and church are surrounded by Nettlecombe Park. This park is a huge area, about 90.4 hectares (that's like 223 football fields!). It is so important for nature that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The whole area is in a quiet valley. It's on the edge of the Brendon Hills and inside the beautiful Exmoor National Park.
History and Design of the Church
There was an older church in Nettlecombe before this one. The current church is made from red sandstone. It was officially opened and dedicated in the year 1440.
Inside the Church Building
The church has several important parts. The chancel is the area near the altar. It includes a small chapel on the north side. There is also a room for the organ on the south side. The main part of the church where people sit is called the nave. Above the nave, there is a row of windows called a clerestory. These windows let in lots of light.
The church also has aisles on both the north and south sides. There is a porch at the north entrance. At the west end, there is a tall tower.
Restorations and Changes Over Time
The church has been carefully looked after over the centuries. Some restoration work was done around 1820 by a person named Richard Carver. More work happened between 1858 and 1870. This later work was led by Charles Edmund Giles. These efforts helped keep the church strong and beautiful for many generations.
Special Features Inside
One of the most interesting things inside the church is the font. A font is a large basin used for baptisms. This font is quite unique because it has seven sides. Each side has special carvings. These carvings show important religious scenes, including the sacraments of the church and a picture of Christ in Glory.
Church Community
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is part of a larger group of churches. This group is called the Quantock Towers benefice. A benefice is a collection of parishes that share a priest. This group is also part of the Quantock deanery.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
