Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wincanton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Peter and St Paul
Location	Wincanton, Somerset, England
Rebuilt	1887-91
Architect	J. D. Sedding
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated	24 March 1961
Reference no.	1238534
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The Church of St Peter and St Paul is an old church in Wincanton, a town in Somerset, England. It's a very important building, listed as Grade II*. This means it's a special historic place.

Most of the church was rebuilt between 1887 and 1891 by an architect named J. D. Sedding. But some parts, especially the tower, might be much older. They could be from a church built there in 1313!

History of the Church

Not much of the very first church is left today. We know that in 1748, a local architect named Nathaniel Ireson helped build a new part called the chancel. He even paid for it himself! He also carved some of the special memorial stones.

In 1793, the church tower was made taller. It grew by about 3.7 metres, making it 15.2 metres high. At that time, five bells were made for the church, and later a sixth one was added.

The church's roofs are currently being repaired. Because of their condition, the church is on the Heritage at Risk Register. This list includes important historic buildings that need care to stop them from falling apart.

What the Church Looks Like

The church is made of stone and has almost flat lead roofs. These roofs are hidden behind low walls called parapets. The building has a main open space called a nave and a special area for the altar called a chancel.

It also has a north aisle and a wider south aisle. There's a room for the organ and a small chapel called the Lady Chapel. The north porch was built in 1891. Above its arch, you can see a carving of a Calvary scene.

The three-part tower is held up by strong supports called buttresses. It also has a small staircase built into one corner. The large window at the east end of the church has beautiful stained glass. This colourful glass was put in during 1889 by a company called Clayton and Bell.

The Churchyard and Memorials

The churchyard is the area around the church. It has a special monument for Nathaniel Ireson, the architect who helped with the church. He designed and carved it himself before he died in 1769. The statue shows him in clothes from the 1700s. It stands on a square base with his family's name on it.

Another memorial in the churchyard is for Elliot Grasset Thomas and his family. This one was put up in the early 1800s. Only the base with his family's special symbol, called a coat of arms, is left from the original.

The stone walls and gates around the churchyard were built in 1818. The largest entrance is the north-east gateway.

See also

• List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells