Church of St Nicholas, West Pennard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Nicholas |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | West Pennard |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°08′28″N 2°38′23″W / 51.1412°N 2.6397°W |
| Completed | 15th century |
The Church of St Nicholas is a very old and important building in West Pennard, Somerset, England. It was built in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old! Because it's so old and special, it's protected as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The Church of St Nicholas has a long and interesting past. It started as a smaller chapel.
How the Church Began
From the 13th to the 15th century, West Pennard was like a smaller branch of the big Church of St John the Baptist in Glastonbury. This smaller church was officially named after Saint Nicholas in the year 1210.
Building the Tower and Aisles
The tall tower of the church was built around 1482. Before that, in the early 15th century, other parts of the church were built. These included the chancel (the area around the altar) and the south aisle (a side section of the church). The north aisle was added a bit later, in the 16th century.
The Church Bells
The tower holds six bells. Four of these bells are very old, having been made in the early 1600s! Imagine how many times they've rung over the centuries.
Inside the Church
When you go inside the church, you can see a special screen. This screen has beautiful carvings from the Tudor period. The Tudor period was when kings and queens like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I ruled England.
The Churchyard Cross
Outside the church, there is an old stone cross in the churchyard. This churchyard cross was built between 1493 and 1524. It was made by a very important person named Abbot Richard Beere from Glastonbury. Like the church itself, this cross is also a Grade I listed building, showing how important it is.
More About This Historic Place
- Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
