Church of St Nicholas, Combe St Nicholas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Nicholas, Combe St Nicholas |
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| Location | Combe St Nicholas, Somerset, England |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 4 February 1958 |
| Reference no. | 430052 |
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The Church of St Nicholas is a very old church located in Combe St Nicholas, Somerset, England. It was first built in the Norman style, which means it dates back to the time of the Normans in England. Parts of the church, like the chancel (the area around the altar) and the lower part of the tower, are from the 13th century.
Over time, the church grew bigger. In the 15th century, more sections called aisles were added. It was also repaired and updated in 1836. Because of its long history and special architecture, the church is now a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
A Glimpse into History
There has been a church on this spot for a very long time. It was here even before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The church was officially dedicated in 1170. This special ceremony was led by the Bishop of Waterford and Bishop Jocelin of Wells.
Exploring the Church's Features
The main part of the church, called the nave, is made from a local stone called Hamstone. It has five sections, or bays. Inside the nave, you can find the font. This is a large basin used for baptisms. Some people think this font might be even older than the Norman church itself!
The aisles, which were added in the 15th century, also have interesting features. One of them is a piscina, which is a stone basin used for washing sacred vessels. There's also another font in the aisles. A beautiful, carved wooden screen, called a rood screen, dates back to around 1470. It separates the nave from the chancel.
Underneath the chancel, three hidden rooms called vaults were found in 1971. The church tower is quite impressive too. It has six bells and a clock that was added in 1845. The top of the tower has battlements (like small castle walls), pointy corner decorations called pinnacles, and funny stone carvings called gargoyles.
The Church Today
The Church of St Nicholas is part of a larger group of churches. This group includes Chard, St. Mary, Wambrook, and Whitestaunton. They all work together within the local church area of Crewkerne and Ilminster.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
