Church of St Michael the Archangel, Compton Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael the Archangel |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Norman |
| Town or city | Compton Martin |
| Country | England |
| Completed | 12th century |
The Church of St Michael the Archangel is a historic church located in the village of Compton Martin, Somerset, England. It is a very important building, officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered to be of exceptional historical and architectural interest. The church is dedicated to St Michael the Archangel.
Contents
A Look Inside This Ancient Church
This church was built a long time ago, in the 12th century. It was built in the Norman style, which was popular after the Normans came to England. William FitzWalter helped pay for its construction.
Key Features of the Church
The church has many interesting parts:
- The chancel (the area around the altar) has special Norman vaulting, which is a curved ceiling support.
- There are arcades (rows of arches) that separate the main part of the church, called the nave, from the side aisles.
- Look up and you'll see a clerestory, which is a row of windows high up on the walls.
- Some parts, like the choir stalls (where the choir sits) and the organ screen, show Jacobean style from the 17th century.
- In the north wall, there's a special spot with a statue, or effigy, of a person named Thomas de Moreton. It was found in 1858.
- One of the pillars on the south side of the nave has a unique twisted design. It's sometimes called an "apprentices column."
The Hidden Dovecote
Above the ceiling of the Bickfield Chapel, there's a secret empty space. This space is actually a columbarium, or dovecote. In 1606, it held 140 "squabs" (young pigeons). These pigeons were raised for food for the rector (the priest in charge of the church).
The Church Tower
The church has a tall, four-story tower. You enter it from the nave through a grand arch. This tower, which is about 70 feet (21 meters) high, was built around 1370 or 1443. It has six bells from the 18th century. Five of these bells were made by the famous Bilbie family from Chew Stoke, who were well-known bell makers.
What Experts Said About the Church
In their 1929 book about Somerset, writers Wade and Wade described the church as "quite remarkable." They thought it was one of the best examples of Norman architecture in the area. They especially noted the nave, which is entirely Norman and has the unusual feature of a clerestory. They also pointed out the beautiful arcades with their round columns and tops. The twisted pillar on the north-east side was also highlighted as something special to see.
The church is part of a group of churches called the benefice of Blagdon with Compton Martin and Ubley.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
