Church of St Peter & St Paul, North Curry facts for kids

Church of St Peter & St Paul
General information
Town or city	North Curry
Country	England
Coordinates	51°01′32″N 2°58′19″W / 51.0255°N 2.9719°W / 51.0255; -2.9719
Completed	c1300

The Church of St Peter & St Paul in North Curry, Somerset, England, is a very old and important church. People sometimes call it ‘The Cathedral of the Moors’ because it looks so grand. It was built around the 1300s. It's also a Grade I listed building, which means it's a really special historic place that needs to be protected.

A Look at the Church's History

The Church of St Peter & St Paul has a long and interesting past. It was built on the site of an even older church. Records from Wells Cathedral show that a church existed in North Curry as early as 1199.

How the Church Was Built Over Time

The church you see today started around the year 1300. Back then, it had a Norman style. This means it was built in a strong, simple way, typical of buildings from that time.

• The lower parts of the tower, the transepts (the parts that stick out like arms from the main building), and the nave (the main area where people sit) were built first.
• Only one part of the very first church built by Bishop Reginald Fitz Jocelin still remains: the north doorway.

Over the years, the church grew and changed:

• In the 14th century, the top part of the tower was added.
• Around 1502, the chancel (the area near the altar) was rebuilt.
• A porch was added, and the walls of the clerestory (the upper part of the nave with windows) were made taller.

Later Changes and Repairs

The church has had some repairs and updates over the centuries:

• In 1832, Richard Carver did some minor restoration work, including fixing the parapet (the low protective wall) on the tower.
• Later in the 1800s, John Oldrid Scott worked on the church. He took down and rebuilt the north aisle wall and door. He also added the vestry, which is a room used by the clergy.

Great Views and Local Connections

The church is in a great spot! It offers a good view of the Somerset Levels and moors. There are even benches for people who are walking or just visiting to sit and enjoy the scenery.

If you're interested in your family history, the church can help. They have a map of the graves in the cemetery. This can help visitors find where their ancestors might be buried in North Curry.

Part of a Larger Church Family

In August 2007, North Curry Church became part of the Athelney benefice. A benefice is a group of churches that share a vicar (a type of priest). The vicar of the Athelney benefice looks after the churches in several nearby villages, including Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry, and Stoke St Gregory.

Gallery

• 

  Main aisle of North Curry church

See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in Taunton Deane
• List of towers in Somerset
• List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells