St Andrew's Church, Compton Bishop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Andrew |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Compton Bishop |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°17′40″N 2°52′03″W / 51.2945°N 2.8676°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Andrew is a very old and special church. It is located in Compton Bishop, a village in Somerset, England. This church was built a long, long time ago, in the 13th century. A bishop named Bishop Jocelin officially opened it in the year 1236. Over the years, it has been carefully repaired and updated. Because it is so important and historic, it is known as a Grade I listed building. This means it is one of the most important historical buildings in England.
Contents
Exploring the Church of St Andrew
The Church of St Andrew has many interesting features. These parts tell stories about its long history. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
The Ancient Pulpit
Inside the church, you will find a beautiful pulpit. This is where the priest stands to give sermons. This pulpit was made in the 14th or 15th century. It has special carved designs called tracery panels. It also features decorative carved bands called friezes and fancy top edges known as cresting. Many people say it is one of the best pulpits in all of Somerset.
Above this old pulpit, there is a large monument on the wall. It is dedicated to a person named John Prowse, who passed away in 1688. The monument also remembers several of his children.
The Church Tower
The church has a tall tower with two main sections. It has pointed tops called pinnacles and a small stair turret. Experts believe this tower was built around the year 1380. However, some historians, like Harvey, think it might be from the 15th century instead.
Later Additions and Repairs
The south porch of the church was added later. This is an entrance area on the south side. The roof of the church was also replaced. These updates happened in 1852. They were done by architects from Bath named George Phillips Manners and John Elkington Gill.
Churchyard Treasures
Outside the church, in the churchyard, there are more historic items. The churchyard cross is also a listed building, but it is Grade II. This means it is still very important, but not as rare as a Grade I building. There are also two old stone tombs, called chest tombs, in the churchyard. They are also Grade II listed.
Part of a Larger Family
The Church of St Andrew is not alone. It is part of a group called the Crook Peak United Parish. This means it works together with several other churches in the area. These include the churches in Badgworth, Biddisham, Christon, Loxton, and Weare.
