St Andrew's Church, Banwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Andrew |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Banwell |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°19′40″N 2°51′48″W / 51.3279°N 2.8633°W |
| Completed | 15th century |
The Church of St Andrew is a historic church located in Banwell, a village in Somerset, England. Most of the church was built in the 15th century. It is considered a very important building, listed as a Grade I building.
What's Inside the Church?
The main part of the church has a central area called a nave. Above the nave, there's a row of windows known as a clerestory, which lets in light. On both sides of the nave, there are side sections called north and south aisles. The church also has a shorter area at the east end, called a chancel. This is where the altar is usually located.
You can find some very old features inside. The font, which is a basin used for baptisms, dates all the way back to the 12th century. There's also a beautifully carved stone pulpit from the 15th century. A rood screen, which is a decorative screen separating the nave from the chancel, was built in 1552. This screen was lucky because it survived the English Reformation, a time when many church decorations were removed or destroyed.
The Tall Tower and Its Bells
The church has a tall tower that stands about 100 feet (30 meters) high. This tower was built around 1417. Inside, it holds ten bells that were made between the 18th and 20th centuries. The church clock was added in 1884. Some of the older bells, from 1734 and 1742, were crafted by Thomas Bilbie. He was part of the famous Bilbie family, who were well-known bell makers.
On the west side of the tower, there's a carving that shows the Annunciation. This is a scene where the Angel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary she will have a baby. In Mary's carving, you can see a lily pot, which is a symbol of purity. You might also notice a lily leaf design on the font and the pulpit inside the church.
Churchyard History
The area around the church, called the churchyard, is also a place of history. It contains the war grave of a soldier from the Hampshire Regiment. This soldier fought and died in World War I.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in North Somerset
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
