Church of St Mary the Virgin, Norton-sub-Hamdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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| Location | Norton-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England |
| Built | 16th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 19 April 1961 |
| Reference no. | 437126 |
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The Church of St Mary the Virgin is an old church located in Norton-sub-Hamdon, a village in Somerset, England. It was first built a very long time ago, in the 1200s! However, most of what you see today was rebuilt around the year 1510. This church is considered very important, so it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's a special historic place that needs to be protected.
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What is a Church Restoration?
Over the years, old buildings like churches need repairs and updates to keep them strong and beautiful. This is called restoration. The Church of St Mary the Virgin was restored by an architect named Henry Wilson. He worked on it in 1894 and again in 1904.
The Church Tower
The church has a tall tower that was built around 1485. It stands about 98.5 feet (30 meters) high. This tower has five main sections. It has strong corner supports called buttresses and decorative tops called parapets with pointy pinnacles. Some of these pinnacles are supported by carved stone figures called gargoyles.
In 1894, the tower was hit by lightning and caught fire! But it was repaired within a year. The builders made sure to keep its original design.
The Old Dovecote
In the churchyard, there is an old dovecote. A dovecote is a building where pigeons or doves were kept. This one dates back to the 1600s. It was once part of a large manor house that was taken down around 1850.
A Famous Person Buried Here
The church's graveyard is the resting place of Paddy Ashdown. He was a well-known British politician. He used to be the leader of a political party called the Liberal Democrats. He also served as the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, helping to bring peace and stability to that region.
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
