Church of St Michael, North Cadbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael |
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| Location | North Cadbury, Somerset, England |
| Built | 1417 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 24 March 1961 |
| Reference no. | 262104 |
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The Church of St Michael is a beautiful old church in North Cadbury, a village in Somerset, England. It was built a long, long time ago, starting in 1417. The church's tall tower was actually built a few years before the rest of the building. This church is so special that it's been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's considered a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
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A Look at the Church's History
The Church of St Michael has a rich history that goes back many centuries. In 1423, a powerful couple named Lord and Lady de Botreaux received special permission from the King. They wanted to create a group of seven priests, called chaplains, to serve the church.
Because of this, the main parts of the church, the nave (where people sit) and the chancel (near the altar), were rebuilt. However, the older, three-part tower was kept just as it was.
The Church and Emmanuel College
Later, a nobleman named Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon gave the right to choose the church's priests to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. This led to a disagreement between the college and the person who owned the land in North Cadbury. This argument became quite well-known in legal history.
For many years, from the 1600s until 1979, Emmanuel College continued to choose the rectors (the main priests) for the church. In fact, almost every rector from the mid-1600s to the mid-1900s had previously been a student or teacher at Emmanuel College.
Special Features of the Church
Inside the Church of St Michael, you can find some amazing old carvings. These are on the ends of the wooden benches, and they date back to the 1530s. The carvings show more than just religious pictures. You can also spot birds, animals, and even local people doing their everyday jobs.
Modern Art in the Church
In the 1980s, some of the church's inside decorations and fittings were badly damaged. A local artist named John Robinson was asked to create new, modern figures to replace them.
However, there was some discussion about these new figures. In the end, they were placed on the wall of the nearby North Cadbury Court. This grand house overlooks the churchyard, so the figures are still close to the church.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St Michael is part of a group of churches called the Camelot Parishes. This group is part of a larger church area known as the Bruton and Cary deanery. The church continues to be an important part of the community in North Cadbury.
