Church of St Michael, Shepton Beauchamp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael |
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| Location | Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 4 February 1958 |
| Reference no. | 428473 |
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The Church of St Michael is a very old and important church located in Shepton Beauchamp, a village in Somerset, England. It's built from a special local stone called hamstone. The church first started being built way back in the 13th century! Over the years, it has been changed and updated many times. A big renovation happened in 1865, led by a famous architect named George Edmund Street. Because of its history and special design, the church is officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural importance.
Contents
Exploring St Michael's Church
The Church of St Michael is made from two types of stone: lias and Ham stone. It has several main parts, including a chancel (the area around the altar), a small chapel on the north side, and a vestry (a room for clergy robes). It also has a main area called the nave where people sit, and a tall tower at the west end.
The Church Tower: A Glimpse into History
The church's tall tower was built in 1477, but it was largely rebuilt in the 16th century. It has strong supports called buttresses that go up to where tall, pointed decorations called pinnacles used to be. The top of the tower has a decorative wall called an embattled parapet and cool stone carvings called gargoyles. These gargoyles were originally designed to drain water away from the building.
The tower also has windows with two lights (sections) and stone grilles where the bells are. Below these, there are blank openings in the ringing chamber. You can see clocks with Roman numerals on the west and south sides of the tower. A higher, many-sided stair-turret (a small tower with stairs) is on the north corner.
Inside the tower, there are eight bells! Several of these bells are very old, dating back to 1738. They were made by a famous family of bell makers called the Bilbie family.
Beauchamp Manor: A Historic Home
Next to the church is a building now called Beauchamp Manor. It used to be the rectory, which is the home for the church's rector (a type of priest). It was built in 1874 for a rector named V.S.S. Coles. He used it to house his curates (assistant priests) and visitors.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
