Church of St Thomas, Thurlbear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Thomas |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Thurlbear, Orchard Portman |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 50°59′21″N 3°04′44″W / 50.9893°N 3.0788°W |
| Completed | 12th century |
The Church of St Thomas is a very old church in the small village of Thurlbear, England. It was built way back in the 12th century, which means it's over 800 years old!
This church is special because English Heritage has named it a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
Today, the Church of St Thomas is a redundant church. This means it's no longer used for regular church services. Instead, it's looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps to save old churches that are no longer in use, making sure they stay safe for future generations to enjoy. The Trust took over care of the church on November 1, 1988.
A Glimpse into History: Norman Architecture
The Church of St Thomas shows clear signs of Norman architecture. This style was popular in England after the Normans arrived in 1066. You can see it in the church's old arches and narrow walkways.
A famous expert on buildings, Nikolaus Pevsner, studied the church. He believed it was built around the year 1110. He noted that its Norman features, like the arcades (rows of arches), were never changed to fit newer styles. This makes the church a great example of early Norman design.
Protecting the Past: Restoration Work
The Churches Conservation Trust is working hard to keep the Church of St Thomas in good shape. They started a project to repair parts of the church.
As part of these repairs, the Somerset County Council helped out. They did a special study of the church's history and structure. This helps everyone understand more about the building and how best to protect it.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Taunton Deane
- List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in South West England
