Church of the Holy Cross, Middlezoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Cross |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Middlezoy |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°05′38″N 2°53′39″W / 51.0938°N 2.8943°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of the Holy Cross is an old and important church in Middlezoy, Somerset, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the 13th century. This church is so special that it has been named a grade I listed building, which means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
Contents
Discovering the Church of the Holy Cross
This church has a rich history and many interesting features. It's a great example of old English architecture and how buildings change over hundreds of years.
A Glimpse into History
The church has been around for a long time. A person named William of Bitton II was in charge of the church by 1263. For many years, from the 13th century until the early 1500s, Middlezoy was a chapelry of Sowy parish. This means it was like a smaller church that belonged to a bigger main church.
The church's name has changed over time. It was first called St. Lawrence, then St. Mary. In 1754, it finally got its current name, the Church of the Holy Cross.
Exploring the Church's Design
The Church of the Holy Cross has several main parts. It has a chancel (the area around the altar) and a nave (the main part where people sit). There's also a south aisle (a side section) and a south porch (an entrance area). On the north side, you'll find a chapel or vestry (a room for the clergy).
The tall, square tower at the west end of the church was built around 1483. It has three main sections and looks similar to the tower at Lyng church. Inside the tower are six bells. One of these bells was made in 1608, probably by a bell maker named George Purdue from Closworth.
Tower Details and Features
The very top part of the tower has been repaired. This work included replacing the pinnacles (the small, pointed towers on the roof) and parts of the pierced parapet (a low wall with openings). If you look closely at the stone, you might see some hunky punks. These are carved stone figures, similar to gargoyles, but they are very worn down from the weather.
Renovations Over the Years
Like many old buildings, the Church of the Holy Cross has been repaired and updated many times. A big restoration project happened in the 1860s, following plans by Charles Knowles. More repairs were done in 1908 to keep the church in good condition.
The Church Community Today
Today, the church is part of a larger group of churches called a benefice. This group includes Middlezoy, Othery, Moorlinch, Stawell, and Sutton Mallet. They all work together within the Glastonbury deanery.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
