Church of St Matthew, Wookey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Matthew |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Wookey |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°12′33″N 2°41′27″W / 51.2093°N 2.6907°W |
| Completed | 12th century |
The Church of St Matthew is a very old and important church. It is located in Wookey, a village in Somerset, England. This church was built a long, long time ago, in the 12th century. It is so special that it is officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in England. It is carefully protected because of its history and beauty.
Contents
The Church of St Matthew
A Glimpse into History
The Church of St Matthew has a long and interesting past. It was given to the dean of Wells Cathedral by Bishop Robert. Later, Bishop Reginald rebuilt parts of it. In 1209, the church was assigned to the sub dean of the cathedral.
The south part of the church, called the chancel, was likely built to hold a special memorial. This memorial was for a person named Thomas Clerke in 1556. The church's tall tower was built in the 15th century. It originally held five bells. In 1949, a sixth bell was added, making a total of six. The tower was even struck by lightning in 1906!
Restoring a Historic Church
In the 1800s, the church underwent a big project called a Victorian restoration. This means it was repaired and updated during the Victorian era. A new roof was put on the church during this time. However, the workers made sure to keep the original wooden beams from the 15th century. This helped to preserve the church's old look and feel.
Nearby Places of Interest
Right next to the Church of St Matthew, you can find a building called Mellifont Abbey. This building was constructed in the 19th century. It was named after a famous abbey with the same name in Ireland. Today, Mellifont Abbey is used as a care home.
The Church of St Matthew is part of a larger group of churches. This group is called the benefice of Coxley with Godney, Henton, and Wookey. This group is part of the Shepton Mallet area within the church's organization.
Important Monuments
Inside the church tower, behind the organ, there is a special monument. It honors Sir Jacob Wolff, 1st Baronet. He was also known as a Baron of the Holy Roman Empire. Sir Jacob Wolff and his wife used to live in Mellifont Abbey, the building next to the church.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
