Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Huish Episcopi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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| Location | Huish Episcopi, Somerset, England |
| Built | 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 17 April 1959 |
| Reference no. | 263125 |
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The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a very old and important church located in Huish Episcopi, a village in Somerset, England. It was first built a long, long time ago, in the 12th century. That's over 800 years ago! Most of the church you see today was rebuilt and made bigger in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. Because it's so special and historic, it's officially known as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historical buildings in England.
About the Church
This beautiful church is made from two main types of stone. It uses blue lias, which is a type of limestone, and golden hamstone for decoration. The church is especially famous for its tall tower. This tower is about 100 feet (30 m) high and is a great example of a "Somerset tower." Many people think it looks very similar to the tower at St Martin's Church in Kingsbury Episcopi. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary also serves the nearby town of Langport.
A Long History
There was a church on this very spot even before the 11th century. The church building that stands today was constructed after an earlier one was damaged by fire. It was officially opened and dedicated in the year 1232. The impressive tower you see now was built much later, around the year 1500. It replaced an older tower that was in the middle of the church. This new tower has four main sections. It's decorated with many fancy stone points called pinnacles and patterns shaped like four-leaf clovers, known as quatrefoil panels. In one corner of the tower, there's a round staircase called an octagonal stair turret that goes all the way to the top. This famous tower was even shown on a postage stamp in 1972!
Special Features
Inside the church, you can find a beautiful stained glass window. This window was designed by a famous artist named Edward Burne-Jones. It's a very special piece of art. The churchyard, which is the area around the church, is also important. It contains two Commonwealth war graves. These are the resting places of soldiers who died serving their country. One soldier was from the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and died in World War I. The other was a Royal Artillery soldier who died during World War II.
