Church of St Nicholas, Bathampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Nicholas |
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| Location | Bathampton, Somerset. |
| Website | stnicholasbathampton.org |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 1 February 1956 |
| Reference no. | 1320551 |
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The Church of St Nicholas is an Anglican church in Bathampton, Somerset. It stands between the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal. This church was first built in the 1200s. Its tower was added in the 1400s. The church was also repaired and updated in the 1700s and 1800s. It is a very important building, listed as Grade II*.
The church is well-known for its Australia Chapel. This special chapel celebrates Admiral Arthur Phillip. He was the first Governor of New South Wales in Australia. Admiral Phillip was buried here in 1814. The churchyard also holds several other important tombs. The church parish is part of the Bathampton and Claverton area.
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History of St Nicholas Church
The Church of St Nicholas began in the 1200s. One of its first leaders was John Stafford. The church was changed in the 1400s. A chapel was added in 1500. The church tower was built in 1532. This tower has three levels and holds six bells. Two of these bells are from the 1540s.
In the mid-1700s, Ralph Allen bought Bathampton Manor in 1731. He added some Gothic style parts to the church. Most of these features were later replaced. This happened when the north side was rebuilt in 1858. Henry Goodridge did this work. The main part of the church was fixed up in 1882 by Charles Edward Davis.
Near the main door are two brass plaques. These are War Memorials for villagers. They remember those who died in World War I and World War II. Next to the church porch is an old stone bowl. This bowl was used as the font for baptisms.
Australia Chapel: A Special Place
The "Australia Chapel" is in the south part of the church. It has memorials for the Allen family. It also honors Admiral Arthur Phillip. He was the first Governor of New South Wales, Australia. Phillip was buried in this church after he died in 1814. For many years, his grave was not well known. But it was found again in 1897. The leader of New South Wales, Sir Henry Parkes, helped restore it.
However, in 2007, a lawyer named Geoffrey Robertson said something interesting. He suggested that Phillip's remains might not be in the church anymore. He said, "Captain Arthur Phillip is not where the stone says he is. He might be buried outside, or he might just be lost." The windows in the chapel show the coat of arms of the Australian Government. They also show the symbols of Australia's six states.
Exploring the Churchyard
The churchyard is where many people are buried. One person buried here is Adolphe, Viscount du Barry. He was a French nobleman. He was a close friend of Madame du Barry, who was a friend of King Louis XV. The Viscount lived in Bath. He died in a fight with Captain Rice, an Irish adventurer.
Other important local people are also buried in the churchyard. This includes Walter Sickert, a famous artist. Many of the old stone tombs in the churchyard are also special. They are listed as important historical buildings.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
