Church of the Holy Trinity, Long Sutton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Trinity |
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| Location | Long Sutton, Somerset, England |
| Built | 15th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 17 February 1986 |
| Reference no. | 263214 |
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The Church of the Holy Trinity is a very old church located in Long Sutton, Somerset, England. It was built in the 15th century and is considered a very important building. Because of its history and special features, it is known as a Grade I listed building.
Contents
Building the Church
An even older church probably stood on this spot as far back as the 9th century. The church you see today was finished and officially opened in 1493. It was built using local lias stone, which is a type of limestone. Special hamstone was used for decorative parts.
The roofs are made of stone slates. They have stepped gables, which are the triangular parts of the wall that support the roof. These gables have decorative tops called finials. You can see these on the chancel (the part of the church near the altar) and the north porch.
The Tower and its Bells
The church's tall tower was built around 1462. It holds a set of six bells. The largest bell, called the tenor, weighs about 86 kilograms (136 stone).
Look closely at the corners of the tower. You might spot some interesting stone carvings called hunky punks. These are often shaped like strange or scary animals.
Inside the Church
When you step inside the Church of the Holy Trinity, you'll notice many old and beautiful features.
The Chancel and Vaults
The chancel has a special ceiling called a wagon-roof. It looks like the inside of a covered wagon, with curved wooden ribs and plaster panels. The tower area also has unique stone patterns called tracery, which are common in churches from this region.
Below the tower, the ceiling has a fancy type of archway called a lierne vault. This vault has extra ribs that don't go all the way to the main supports, creating a star-like pattern.
The Font
You'll also find a 15th-century font inside. A font is a large basin used for baptisms. This one is octagonal (eight-sided) and decorated with quatrefoil panels. A quatrefoil is a design shaped like a four-leaf clover.
The Pulpit
One of the most interesting parts of the church is its colourful wooden pulpit. A pulpit is a raised platform where a preacher stands. This pulpit is even older than the church itself, dating from 1455 to 1458! It has a small staircase leading up to it.
The pulpit has small spaces called niches, which now hold wooden figures from the 20th century. You can also see initials carved into the pulpit. These are believed to belong to Abbot John Petherton and vicar William Singleton, who were important people at the time.
Other Features
The church also has a beautifully carved wooden screen from the late 15th century. You can also find memorials inside, like a stone tablet for Elizabeth Banbury, who died in 1716. This tablet has decorative Corinthian columns and fancy carvings called entablature and swags. There are also old stone slabs from the 16th and 17th centuries on the floor.
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
