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 church in Huish Episcopi, Somerset, England. It was first built in the 12th century, which is over 800 years ago! Most of what you see today was rebuilt later, in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. This church is so important that it is a Grade I listed building. This means it is a very special historic place.
About the Church
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary also serves the nearby town of Langport. It is built from a type of blue stone called blue lias. It also has golden stone decorations made from hamstone.
The church is famous for its tall, classic Somerset tower. This tower is about 100 feet (30 meters) high! It looks a lot like the tower at St Martin's Church in Kingsbury Episcopi.
There was a church on this spot even before the current one. That first church was here in the 11th century. The church we see now was built after a fire destroyed the older building. It was officially opened in 1232.
The Famous Tower
The church's tower was built 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 is decorated with many pointed tops called pinnacles. It also has fancy patterns called quatrefoil panel bands.
In one corner of the tower, there is a round staircase. This staircase goes all the way to the top of the tower. The tower is so well-known that it was even shown on a postage stamp in 1972!
Stained Glass Window
Inside the church, you can see a beautiful stained glass window. This window was made by a famous artist named Edward Burne-Jones. It shows a picture of the Nativity, which is the birth of Jesus.
Churchyard
The churchyard is the area around the church. It is a peaceful place where people are buried. There are two special graves here. These graves belong to soldiers who died in the World Wars. One soldier was from the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and fought in World War I. The other was from the Royal Artillery and fought in World War II. These graves are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
