Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Cothelstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Thomas of Canterbury |
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The Church of St Thomas
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Cothelstone |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°04′48″N 3°10′12″W / 51.0801°N 3.1700°W |
| Completed | 12th century |
The Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is an old church in Cothelstone, Somerset, England. It was built in the 1100s, which is the 12th century. This church is very special and is called a Grade I listed building. This means it's super important for history and needs to be protected.
The church was fixed up a lot in 1864. Inside, you can find special memorials for the Stawell family, like Sir Matthew de Stawell who passed away in 1379. The Esdailes family, who were important local landowners, have also supported the church over the years.
This church is closely connected to Cothelstone Manor, which is another historic building nearby. Church services are held every week using a special prayer book from 1662. The church is part of a group of churches in the area, including those in Bishop's Lydeard, Bagborough, and Combe Florey.
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Keeping the Church Strong
The Church of St Thomas of Canterbury has had a lot of important repair work done since the year 2000. These repairs help keep the old building safe and in good condition for everyone.
Fixing the Tower and Roof
In 2002, workers repaired the stone walls of the church tower and the entrance porch. This made sure they were strong and looked good. Then, in 2006, the roof tiles were carefully taken off. New waterproof material was put underneath, and the original tiles were placed back. The gutters were also fixed to stop rain from getting inside.
Modern Updates Inside
In 2008, the church got new electrical wiring. More lights were added to make the inside brighter. The old heating system under the pews was also replaced with a newer, more efficient one. These updates help make the church comfortable for visitors and worshippers.
Who Paid for the Repairs?
All these repairs cost nearly £45,000. Most of this money was raised by people in the local area. Some money also came from helpful charities and a small amount from the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is the church's regional group. The Esdailes family also sent a donation from overseas to help. There are plans to do even more work, like fixing the vestry (a small room at the bottom of the tower) and adding a restroom.
More to Explore
- 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
