Church of the Holy Cross, Babcary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Cross |
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| Location | Babcary, Somerset, England |
| Built | 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of the Holy Cross | |
| Designated | 17 April 1959 |
| Reference no. | 1277940 |
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The Church of the Holy Cross is an old church located in Babcary, Somerset, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the 14th century. This church is considered a special historical building and is listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important and well-preserved historical site.
History of the Church
The Church of the Holy Cross has a long history, even before the Norman Conquest (which happened in 1066!). Records show there was a church here as early as 1200. Most of the church you see today was built in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Later, in the 19th century, parts of the church like the chancel (the area around the altar) and the north aisle (a side section) were added. This work was done by an architect named Benjamin Ferrey around 1875–1876. The church also had more repairs and updates in the 1950s to keep it in good shape.
A famous person named James Woodforde was a priest (curate) at Babcary in 1764. He wrote a famous book called The Diary of a Country Parson. In his diary, he wrote about playing a game called "fives" against the church wall and winning!
Today, the church is part of a group of churches called the Six Pilgrims benefice. This group is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is how the Church of England organizes its churches in the area.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of the Holy Cross is made of stone and has stone slate roofs. It has a main area called a nave and a smaller section called a chancel. There's also a north aisle, which is like a walkway on the side.
The church has a tall, three-stage tower. This tower is supported by strong corner buttresses, which are like stone supports that stick out from the walls. Inside the tower, there are six bells! The oldest bell was made in 1611, and another bell from 1753 was made by the famous Bilbie family, who were known for making bells.
Inside the church, you can see a font from the 14th century. A font is a basin used for baptisms. There's also an octagonal (eight-sided) pulpit from 1632. A pulpit is a raised platform where the priest stands to give sermons.
See also
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
