Church of St Michael, Enmore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael |
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| Location | Enmore, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th and 15th centuries |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St Michael | |
| Designated | 29 March 1963 |
| Reference no. | 1177223 |
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The Church of St Michael is an old church in Enmore, a village in Somerset, England. It's a special place of worship for the Anglican church. Most of the church was built in the 15th century (the 1400s). But some parts are even older, from the 12th century (the 1100s)! This includes a beautiful arched doorway. The church is so important that it's listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic building.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The Church of St Michael has stood for many centuries. In 1873, the church got a big makeover. This was part of a common trend called Victorian restoration. An architect named Benjamin Ferrey helped restore the building. This helped keep the old church in good shape for future generations.
Cool Church Features
The church has different sections, like a nave (the main part where people sit) and a chancel (the area near the altar). The south doorway is very old, built around 1185. It has fancy carvings and is quite heavy.
The church also has a tall, three-part tower on its west side. This tower is held up by strong supports called buttresses. At the top, there's a small turret above the stairs. Inside the tower, there are six bells. The oldest bell was made in 1647 by William Purdue. Imagine how many times those bells have rung over the centuries!
Inside the Church
When you go inside the church, you'll find some amazing old items. There's an eight-sided baptismal font from the 13th century. This is where baptisms have taken place for hundreds of years. You can also see a Jacobean pulpit. This is a raised platform where the priest gives sermons.
The church also has several old chests. These chests were used to store important church items. They range in age from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
The Malet Family Helmets
One of the most interesting things inside are two old helmets. These helmets belonged to the Malet family. They were important people in the area, serving as lords of the manor and Sheriffs of Somerset. The helmets are thought to be from around 1620. They likely belonged to John Malet.
These helmets were found in 1833. They were discovered when parts of Enmore Castle were taken down. After that, they were moved to the Church of St Michael, where you can see them today.
The Churchyard
Outside the church, in the churchyard, there's a 15th-century stone cross. The main part of the cross is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. Sadly, the very top part of the cross is missing.
The wall around the churchyard separates it from Enmore Castle. This wall was probably built in the 18th century. In the churchyard, you can also find old monuments. These include memorials for the Studdier and Waterman families. There are also some old stone tombs from the 17th and 18th centuries.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
