Church of St Mary the Virgin, Westonzoyland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Westonzoyland |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°06′31″N 2°55′39″W / 51.1087°N 2.9274°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a very old and special church located in Westonzoyland, a village in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 1200s! This church is so important that it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most historically significant buildings in the country and is protected.
A Church with History
St Mary's Parish Church has a beautiful roof made of carved wood from the 1400s. This church also has a surprising connection to two important historical events. After the Battle of Sedgemoor, which happened in 1685, about 500 soldiers were held prisoner inside the church.
From 1508, a person named Hugh Inge was the vicar, or priest, of this church. He later became a very important leader in the church and government. He served as a Bishop of Meath, an Archbishop of Dublin, and even the Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
The Church Tower
The church has a tall, four-part tower that was built around 1470. The top of the tower has a special wall called an parapet with a pattern of four-leaf shapes, known as quatrefoil arcading. The tower also has strong supports called buttresses that end in pointy decorations called pinnacles near the bells.
There are six bells inside the tower. If you look closely at the corners of the tower, you might spot some interesting stone carvings called hunky punks. These carvings look like dragons!
Restoration and Remembrance
In the 1930s, the church's roof needed repairs. People donated money to help pay for this important work, which was done by an architect named W. D. Caroe.
Inside the church, there is a special area that remembers local airmen. These brave individuals lost their lives in 1918 and 1919, and also in the early 1950s after World War II. The current vicar of the church is The Reverend Dr Jane Sutton. The church is part of a larger group of churches called a benefice, which includes Westonzoyland and Chedzoy, all within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
