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Church of the Holy Cross, Thornfalcon facts for kids

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Church of the Holy Cross
White building with square tower.
General information
Town or city Thornfalcon
Country England
Coordinates 51°00′36″N 3°01′22″W / 51.0101°N 3.0229°W / 51.0101; -3.0229
Completed 14th century

The Church of the Holy Cross is a beautiful old church located in Thornfalcon, a small village in Somerset, England. This church was first built way back in the 14th century, which means it's over 600 years old!

In 1882, the church was carefully repaired and updated. This type of work is called a Victorian restoration, named after the Victorian era when many old buildings were restored. A famous architect named Benjamin Ferrey led this project.

The Church of the Holy Cross is very special. It has been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural importance. It's like a national treasure!

Inside the Church

Ancient Features and History

When you step inside the Church of the Holy Cross, you can see parts that are even older than the 14th century church itself. For example, the font is from a building that stood here in the late 1200s.

A font is a special basin used for baptisms, which are ceremonies where people are welcomed into the Christian faith. Some of the original walls from that 13th-century building might still be part of the church's main areas, like the nave and chancel.

The nave is the main part of the church where people sit during services. The chancel is the area near the altar, usually reserved for the clergy and choir.

The Church Bells

The church tower holds five bells. These bells have been ringing out over Thornfalcon for a very long time. The oldest bell was made in 1609. Imagine how many events and celebrations these bells have seen over the centuries!

The Church Community

The Church of the Holy Cross is part of a larger church community. It belongs to a group of churches called a benefice. This benefice includes the churches in Creech St Michael and Ruishton, along with Thornfalcon.

This group of churches works together. They are all part of the Taunton deanery, which is a larger administrative area for churches in the region.

See also

  • Grade I listed buildings in Taunton Deane
  • List of Somerset towers
  • List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
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