Church of St Philip and St James, Norton St Philip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Philip and St James |
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| Location | Norton St Philip, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th and 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 11 March 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1345373 |
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The Church of St Philip and St James is a very old and special building. You can find it in the village of Norton St Philip in Somerset, England. It's so important that it's a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a historic place that needs to be protected.
The church is part of a larger group of churches called the Hardington Vale benefice. This group is looked after by the archdeaconry of Wells.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The church building you see today has parts that are very old. Some sections date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. That's over 700 years ago! It's even possible there was a church here before the Normans arrived in England in 1066.
How the Church Grew
In 1345, a special market or "fair" was moved to Norton St Philip. This fair helped the church earn money. It was a big event for the village and the church.
A famous writer named Samuel Pepys visited the church in the 1600s. He wrote about a tomb he saw there. He thought it belonged to a Knight Templar, but it's now believed to be the tomb of a lawyer or merchant from the 1460s. Pepys also shared a local story about the "Fair Maids of Foscott." These were believed to be conjoined twins from a nearby village called Foxcote.
Around the 1600s, a new part of the church, called the north aisle, was probably added.
Modern Updates
In the 1840s, the church had a big makeover. This was a "Victorian restoration" led by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott.
More recently, in the year 2000, the church had more work done. They added new wooden and steel rooms. These included a vestry (a room for clergy), toilets, and meeting spaces. This project was called "The Hub." Because of these great new facilities and how the church helps the community, it won an award in 2008. It was called the "Village Church for Village Life Award."
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Philip and St James is built from a type of stone called Doulting Stone. Some parts are made of rough rubble, while other parts, especially on the south and east sides, use more smoothly cut stone called ashlar. These smoother parts were likely added during the 1800s renovations.
The church has a roof made of slate tiles. Inside, the main roof is shaped like a barrel, made of oak wood. At the west end of the church, there's a tall tower with three sections.
Tower and Windows
The tower has a clock that was made in 1841 by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy and Charles Frodsham. It also has six bells that ring out over the village.
Look closely at the windows! The large east window has beautiful stained glass made by an artist named Christopher Webb. Other windows in the church have even older glass, which is very special.
Important Memorials
Inside the church, you can find memorials to remember people. One memorial is for a soldier who died in Norton St Philip in 1643. This happened during the English Civil War. The village also saw more fighting and casualties during a conflict called the Monmouth Rebellion.
