Church of St Michael and All Angels, Somerton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael and All Angels |
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| Location | Somerton, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 17 April 1959 |
| Reference no. | 262971 |
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The Church of St Michael and All Angels in Somerton, Somerset, England is a really old church! It was built way back in the 13th century, which means it's hundreds of years old. Because it's so important and historic, it's been given a special status called a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country and is protected.
A Look Back in Time
This church started out as a smaller "daughter church" of a bigger church in Queen Camel. It belonged to the King or Queen, just like many other churches in the area. But as Somerton grew bigger in the 1100s, people wanted their church to be more important.
Around 1140, the Empress Maud allowed the church to have its own burial rights. This made it a "mother church," meaning it became more important and could serve its own community fully. The vicar (the church leader) was chosen by the monks of Muchelney Abbey.
The Anglican Church building was changed a lot in the mid-1400s. Later, in 1889, it had more "restoration" work done. This means parts of it were repaired or updated. The church is built from local "lias" stone, which is a type of rock, with special "Hamstone" used for decoration.
Amazing Inside Details
Even though the outside of the church looks quite simple, the inside has one of the most amazing wooden carved roofs in the whole county! This roof is shallow and has huge, beautifully decorated wooden beams.
The entire roof is divided into 640 square panels. Each panel is carved with the same detailed quatrefoil design, which looks like a four-leaf clover. Where the main wooden beams cross, you can see carved bosses (decorative bumps).
Look closely at the triangular spaces above each beam. You'll find twenty-two dragons facing each other in pairs! These dragons are called Wyverns, and they are a symbol for the county of Somerset. Somerton was once the main town of Somerset.
You might also spot two small cider barrels carved into the roof. People say these were carved by the monks from Muchelney Abbey. There are even some bullet holes in the wooden timbers! These are believed to have been made by soldiers who stayed in the church in 1646, just before the Battle of Langport.
The church also has a pulpit (where the sermon is given) and an altar table (where services are held) from the 1600s. These pieces are examples of "Jacobean" woodwork, which was popular during the time of King James I.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
Images for kids
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A list showing some of the vicars who have served at the church from 1212 to 1985.
