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Church of St Michael & All Angels, Greinton facts for kids

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Church of St Michael & All Angels
Stone building with square tower, separated from the road in the foreground by a stone wall.
General information
Town or city Greinton
Country England
Coordinates 51°07′26″N 2°50′27″W / 51.1240°N 2.8407°W / 51.1240; -2.8407
Completed 12th century

The Church of St Michael & All Angels is a very old church located in Greinton, Somerset, England. Parts of this church were built way back in the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old! There's even a chance it was built on a special spot that people used before Christianity. Because of its long history and importance, it's been named a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a very important historic building that needs to be protected.

A Look at Church History

The Church of St Michael & All Angels has a rich and long history. Over the centuries, it has seen many changes and updates.

Building Through the Ages

The church wasn't built all at once. It was improved and changed many times. Major updates happened in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. This shows how people kept caring for and using the church over hundreds of years.

Past Leaders of the Church

The church has been led by many rectors (church leaders) since at least 1259. These leaders helped guide the community and manage the church's activities through different periods of history.

The Church Tower and Bells

The church's tower is a special part of the building. It was built in the 15th century.

Ringing the Bells

Inside the tower, there are six bells that can be rung. One of these bells is very old, from the medieval times! Other bells were added in 1586, 1707, 1788, and two more in 1899. Imagine the different sounds these bells have made over the centuries!

Victorian Era Changes

In the Victorian era (the 1800s), the church had big repairs and updates.

Modern Touches and Records

During these Victorian renovations, beautiful stained glass windows were added. A new entrance porch was built on the north side. The old south porch was changed into a vestry, which is a room used by the clergy. The church also keeps records of events like baptisms and weddings. Some records go back to 1655, and complete records have been kept since 1777. These records help us learn about the lives of people in Greinton long ago.

See also

  • List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
  • List of towers in Somerset
  • List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells