kids encyclopedia robot

Church of St Michael, Wayford facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Church of St Michael
Wayford Manor and Chapel (geograph 3332362).jpg
The church on the right and Wayford Manor House
Location Wayford, Somerset, England
Built 13th century
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Church of St Michael
Designated 4 February 1958
Reference no. 1056166
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

The Church of St Michael is a beautiful old church in Wayford, Somerset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church was first built way back in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! It is also a listed building with a special Grade II* status. This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected.

A Look at the Church's History

The Church of St Michael was built in the 1200s. Over the centuries, it has been changed and updated many times. These updates happened in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.

Key Changes Over Time

  • 1602: A porch was added to the church. This is the covered entrance area.
  • 1800: The front wall of the church was rebuilt.
  • 1846: Part of the chancel (the area around the altar) collapsed. It had to be rebuilt.
  • Later: There used to be a special seating area called a gallery at the back of the church. This gallery has since been removed.

The church is part of a group of churches called the Wulfic benefice. This group is part of the larger Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is how the Church of England organizes its churches in the area.

What the Church Looks Like

The Church of St Michael is made from stone. It has special decorative stone parts called hamstone dressings. The roofs are made of slate.

Main Parts of the Church

  • Bell Turret: At the western end of the church, there's a small wooden tower called a bell turret. It holds two bells.
  • Nave: The main part of the church where people sit is called the nave. It has three sections, or "bays."
  • Chancel: This is the area near the altar, where the clergy (like priests) usually stand. It has one section.
  • North Aisle: There is also a side section on the north side of the church called an aisle.

Inside the Church

When you go inside, you can see some very old features:

  • Piscina: There is a double piscina from the 14th century. A piscina is a stone basin used for washing sacred vessels.
  • Font: The font, which is used for baptisms, might also be from the 14th century.

Images for kids

kids search engine
Church of St Michael, Wayford Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.