Church of St Peter and St Paul, Over Stowey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church Of St Peter And St Paul |
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The Church from the South with the Henry Stanley memorial in the foreground
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| Location | Over Stowey, Somerset, England |
| Built | 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church Of St Peter And St Paul | |
| Designated | 29 March 1963 |
| Reference no. | 1060177 |
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The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a historic church located in Over Stowey, a village in Somerset, England. It serves as the main Anglican church for the area. Today, it is part of the Quantock Villages Benefice, which is a group of churches working together in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
This church has a long history, with parts of it, like the tower and some of the main hall (nave), dating back to the 14th century. More work was done in the 15th century. However, the church was greatly repaired and made larger in the 19th century by an architect named Richard Carver.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The Church of St Peter and St Paul has many interesting features that tell its story.
Unique Carvings and Art
Inside the church, you can find beautiful carved oak bench ends. These are the decorated ends of the wooden pews (church benches) and are typical of the artwork from this region. There is also a very special monument dedicated to the Rich brothers, who passed away in 1813 and 1815. This monument is unusual because it shows pictures of farm tools and a beehive, which might tell us about their lives.
Many of the church's windows were made by the famous company Morris & Co. Two of these windows were even designed by Edward Burne-Jones, a well-known artist. One window shows the Angel of the Resurrection, and the other features a group of angels playing music.
Ancient Bells
The church tower holds six bells. Two of these bells are very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. They were made in Exeter. Another bell was cast in 1714, making it over 300 years old!
Important Families and Memorials
Many of the memorials, both inside and outside the church, honor members of the Labouchere and later Stanley families. These families were very important in the area. They owned a large estate called Quantock Lodge and much of the land in the parish. They also helped pay for the church's restoration.
In the churchyard, there is a large granite cross. This cross is a memorial to Henry Stanley, who was a cricketer and was set to inherit the Quantock Lodge Estate. He died while serving in the Boer War.
Notable Connections
William Holland, a famous diarist, was the vicar (a type of priest) of Over Stowey from 1779 until he passed away in 1819.
In the year 2000, the Church of St Peter and St Paul was even featured on a special First Class Christmas Stamp issued by the Royal Mail!
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
