Old Church of St Nicholas, Uphill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Church of St Nicholas |
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| Location | Uphill, Somerset, England |
| Built | Late 11th - 12th century |
| Architectural style(s) | Norman |
| Governing body | Churches Conservation Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Old Church of Saint Nicholas | |
| Designated | 19 May 1983 |
| Reference no. | 1129743 |
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The Old Church of St Nicholas is a very old church in Uphill, Somerset, England. People say it was built in the Norman style. This means it's from a long time ago, around the 11th or 12th century. Over time, parts of it were changed.
Regular church services stopped here in 1846. Today, the church is partly in ruins. It still has a tower and a chancel (the part where the altar is). But the nave (the main part where people sit) no longer has a roof.
This old church is a special building. It's called a Grade II* listed building. This means it's important for its history and architecture. The Churches Conservation Trust looks after it. Sometimes, special services are still held in the part that still has a roof.
Contents
Where is the Old Church?
The church sits high up on a cliff. From here, you can see Weston Bay, Brean Down, and where the River Axe meets the sea. There's also an old stone tower nearby. This tower was once a windmill in the late 1700s. But it stopped being used by 1829.
Uphill Cliff: A Special Place
The cliff where the church stands is called Uphill Cliff. It's a very special place for nature. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it has important plants and animals.
The cliff has grassy areas and rocky parts. These areas are made of a type of rock called Carboniferous Limestone. The steeper parts of the grassland are home to many different kinds of plants.
Amazing Plants and Insects
You can find beautiful orchids growing here. There's also a rare grass called Somerset Hair Grass. Another plant you might see is Honewort. The Goldilocks Aster also grows on the cliff.
Besides plants, many insects live here too. You can spot several types of butterfly. There are also different kinds of Weevils, which are small beetles. It's a great place to explore nature!
History of the Church
This church used to be connected to a monastery. This monastery was dedicated to Saint Michael and was on Steep Holm island. That island is in the Bristol Channel.
Changes Over Time
The church building was changed and updated in the later Middle Ages. But by 1840, it was in bad shape. So, a new church was built nearby in 1844. Both the old and new churches were used for a short time.
However, after April 5, 1846, all church services moved to the new church. The roof of the old church's nave was taken off in 1879. This was because it had become unsafe. The porch of the church was rebuilt in 1904.
Protecting the Old Church
In 1983, the church was officially listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic building. It is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This group helps to save old churches. Sometimes, special church services are still held in the chancel, which is the part of the church that still has a roof.
What the Church Looks Like
The Old Church of St Nicholas is a stone building. It was built in the Norman style. It has a central tower with three levels. It also has a chancel and a nave. As we learned, the nave no longer has a roof.
Special Sundials
You can find three carved sundials on the church. A sundial is like an old clock that tells time using the sun's shadow. One sundial is on the east side of a plain stone panel. This panel is above a door that is now blocked up on the south wall. Another sundial is to the west of this panel.
The third sundial is on a window on the south side of the tower. This sundial is very old! It might even be from before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It could be a mix of Saxon and Norman styles.
See also
