Church without dedication, High Ham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church without dedication
Location	Low Ham, High Ham, Somerset, England
Built	17th century
Listed Building – Grade I
Designated	17 April 1959
Reference no.	263114
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The Church without dedication, also known as the Church in the Field, is a very old building in Low Ham, Somerset, England. It used to be a private chapel for a large estate. This church stands where an even older church once was. Building started in the early 1600s. It was damaged during the English Civil War, but was finished by 1690. Today, it is a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic place.

History of the Church

How the Church Was Built

The Church without dedication was built around the year 1600. It was placed on the same spot where an older church had stood. That first church was probably there in the 1200s. Some people think it might have been built by a person named Serlo de Burci.

The new church was started by Sir Edward Hext. Later, Baron Stawell helped finish it. They wanted it to be a chapel for a new big house, called a manor house. However, that manor house was never fully built. A large gateway that was part of the plan was later moved to Hazlegrove House.

Church Design and Features

What the Church Looks Like

The church was built using local stone. It has special decorative stones called Hamstone dressings. Its style is Gothic, which was popular for churches a long time ago. The church has a main area called a nave with three sections. It also has a chancel with two sections, which is where the altar usually is.

The Church Tower and Bells

The church has a tall tower with three levels. The corners of the tower have strong supports called buttresses. You can also see interesting stone carvings called gargoyles on the tower. Inside the tower are two old bells. One bell was made before the year 1350. The other bell was made around 1500.

Inside the Church

Some parts of the windows still have pieces of stained glass from the 1400s. The windows also have beautiful stone patterns called tracery. Inside the church, you can find special monuments. These are memorials to Sir Edward Hext and to many members of the Stawell family.

There is a wooden screen that separates the chancel from the nave. There is also a stone screen that was brought from St Mark's Church, Bristol. The pulpit, which is where the priest gives sermons, is in a style called Jacobean. This style was common during the time of King James I.

The Church without dedication is part of the Langport Area Team Ministry. This group is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger church organization.

See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
• List of towers in Somerset