Church of the Holy Ghost, Midsomer Norton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Ghost |
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Church of the Holy Ghost, Midsomer Norton
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 Church of the Holy Ghost
Location in Somerset
Church of the Holy Ghost
Location in England
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| 51°17′10″N 2°29′02″W / 51.286111°N 2.483889°W | |
| Location | Midsomer Norton, Somerset |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | Holy Ghost |
| Consecrated | 17 May 1913 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Blessed Richard Whiting |
| Metropolis | Archdiocese of Birmingham |
| Diocese | Diocese of Clifton |
| Province | Ecclesiastical province of Birmingham |
The Church of the Holy Ghost is a special Roman Catholic church located in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, England. What makes it unique is that it's built inside a very old tithe barn. A tithe barn was a place where farmers used to store a part of their crops or goods, which they gave to the church as a tax.
This church is looked after by monks from Downside Abbey. It is also a "Grade II* listed building". This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
Contents
The Old Barn: A History of the Building
The building that is now the Church of the Holy Ghost has a long history. It was originally a tithe barn. This barn was built and owned by a group of religious people called the Augustinian Canons. They lived at Merton Priory in Surrey.
This barn is one of the oldest buildings in Midsomer Norton. Experts believe it was built in the 1400s. That makes it over 500 years old!
From Priory to Private Owner
A long time ago, in the 1500s, King Henry VIII made big changes. He closed down many monasteries and priories, including Merton Priory. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
When this happened, the barn became the King's property. Later, it was given to Christ Church, Oxford, a famous college. By the late 1800s, the barn was no longer needed for storing crops. So, it was sold to a private owner.
Turning a Barn into a Church
In 1906, the monks from Downside Abbey bought the old barn. They wanted to turn it into a church. Before they bought it, the barn had been used for many different things. It was a place for dogs, horses, and even chickens! Because of this, the building was in very bad shape.
Architectural Changes and Restoration
The head of Downside Abbey, Abbot Edmund Ford, hired a famous architect named Giles Gilbert Scott. Scott was known for designing many beautiful buildings, including churches. His job was to restore the old barn and make it suitable for a church.
Scott did a lot of work on the building. He fixed the amazing wooden roof and other timber parts. He also made some new changes. For example, he added new doorways. He also put in a new window on the south wall. This window was designed in the Gothic style, which was popular in old churches.
The barn was officially opened as a church on May 17, 1913.
Inside the Church: Furnishings and Art
The Church of the Holy Ghost has some very interesting items inside.
- The Tabernacle: This is a special cabinet where the Eucharist is kept. The one in this church is made of wood. It has beautiful carvings and is covered in gold. It was made in 1794. Before coming here, it was in a chapel in London.
- Stations of the Cross: These are a series of pictures or carvings that show events from the last day of Jesus' life. The ones in this church are from a region called Flanders. They are very old, dating back to the late 1700s. They are early examples of painted Stations of the Cross.
Other items in the church also have a history. For example, the wooden panels behind the main altar are from Downside Abbey and School. They are in the Jacobean style, which was popular in the 1600s. These panels now have the words "Deus Caritas Est" on them, which means "God is Love." Even the pulpit, where the priest gives sermons, used to be a desk in the school's study room!
A Special Wedding
In June 2010, the Church of the Holy Ghost was the location for a special event. A famous football player, Damien Duff, got married there. He played for the Republic of Ireland and for the football club Fulham.
