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 a very old church. It is found in Cothelstone, Somerset, England. This church was built in the 12th century. It is made of red sandstone in a style called Romanesque. This means it has thick walls and round arches.
The church is a Grade I listed building. This means it is a very important historic building. It is protected to make sure it lasts for a long time. The church was greatly repaired in 1864. This type of repair is called a Victorian restoration.
Inside the church, you can find special memorials. These remember members of the Stawell family. This includes Sir Matthew de Stawell, who died in 1379. There is also a memorial for John Stawell, who died in 1603. The Esdailes family has also helped support the church. They have been important local landowners.
The church is very close to Cothelstone Manor. This manor house is also a protected historic building. Church services are held every week. They follow the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This is a traditional church service book.
The church is part of a larger group of churches. This group includes churches in Bishop's Lydeard and Combe Florey.
Keeping the Church Strong: Recent Repairs
Since the year 2000, many important repairs have happened. These repairs help keep the church in good condition. In 2002, workers fixed the tower and porch. They made sure the stone joints were strong.
In 2006, the roof needed attention. The old roof tiles were carefully taken off. New waterproof material was placed underneath them. Then, the original tiles were put back on. The gutters were also fixed. This helps to keep rain out of the church.
More improvements happened in 2008. The church's electrical system was updated. New lights were added to make the church brighter. The old heating system under the pews was replaced. A new, modern heating system was put in.
These repairs cost almost £45,000. Most of the money was raised by people in the local area. Some money came from special charities. The Diocese of Bath and Wells also gave a small amount. Even the Esdailes family sent a donation from overseas. More repair work is planned for the vestry. This is a small room at the bottom of the tower. There are also plans to add a restroom.
