St Andrew's Church, Taunton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church
St Andrew's Church
Religion
Affiliation	Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active
Year consecrated	1881
Location
Location	Taunton, Somerset, England
Architecture
Architect(s)	J. Houghton Spencer
Architectural type	Church

St Andrew's Church is a lovely Church of England church located in Taunton, Somerset, England. It was built a long time ago, between 1880 and 1881, and was designed by an architect named J. Houghton Spencer. This church is considered a special historical building, known as a Grade II listed building, since 2016. This means it's protected because of its important history and architecture.

Building the Church: A Look Back

How the Idea Started

In 1878, people in the growing area of Rowbarton in Taunton needed a new church. A kind person, Reverend F. J. Smith, offered a large sum of money, £3,000, to help build it. But there was a condition: the community had to raise another £2,000 themselves.

Raising Money and Starting Work

The community worked hard and managed to raise £2,300 by June 1879. Reverend Smith's generous donation was a special "thank-offering" to celebrate the end of the Russo-Turkish War. This war had ended a little while before.

The area around the new church was officially named the "ecclesiastical district of St Andrew's" in 1878. The church plans, drawn by Mr. J. Houghton Spencer from Taunton, were approved the next year. In February 1880, a builder named Mr. Henry James Spiller, also from Taunton, was chosen to construct the church for £2,332.

Laying the Foundation Stone

The very first stone of the church, called the foundation stone, was laid on April 30, 1880. Master E. J. Smith, who was Reverend Smith's grandson, did the honors. Many important people were there, including the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Reverend Lord Arthur Hervey, and a large crowd of people from the town. While the church was being built, services were held in the local parish schoolroom.

Opening the Church

St Andrew's Church was officially opened and blessed by the Bishop of Bath and Wells on July 14, 1881. This was a big day for the community!

Making the Church Bigger

As more and more people moved into the area, the church soon needed more space. In May 1891, the church leaders decided to make St Andrew's bigger instead of building a whole new church.

Mr. E. W. Buckle from London drew up the new plans. In April 1892, Mr. Henry Spiller, the same builder, was chosen again for the expansion work, which cost £3,800. The new parts included a south aisle (a side section), a western porch (an entrance area), a morning chapel, and a choir vestry (a room for the choir).

The expanded church reopened on July 14, 1893. Bishop Bromley, who was helping the Bishop of Bath and Wells, blessed the new sections. The main bishop couldn't attend because he was unwell.

Church Design and Features

Building Materials and Style

St Andrew's Church is built using local West Leigh stone. The decorative parts are made from Doulting stone, and the roofs are tiled. The church is designed in the Early English Gothic style, which is a type of architecture from the medieval period.

The church tower has an eight-sided spire on top. This spire is made of timber and covered with light green Westmorland slates. A copper weather vane sits at the very top. The tower holds one bell, which was made by John Taylor & Co in Loughborough.

When the church was first built, it had a main area called a nave with a clerestory (upper windows), north and south aisles, a chancel (the area around the altar), a vestry, and a south porch. The south aisle, western porch, morning chapel, and choir vestry were added later, between 1892 and 1893.

Inside the Church

The inside of the church is built with bricks from Bridgwater. The bricks used for the main pillars that support the arches were specially chosen for their strength and came from Exeter. The floor in the chancel and passages is covered with tiles from Mintons. The tiles for the reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) were made by Craven Dunnill & Co. Ltd in Jackfield.

The beautiful stained-glass windows in the chancel and clerestory were painted by Hardman & Co. from Birmingham. The pulpit (where sermons are given) and the font (a basin for baptisms) are carved from Beer stone. The font was a gift from Mr. Spiller, the builder. Today, the church has a different font from 1912, made by Bridgeman and Son of Lichfield.

The church was originally designed to seat 600 people on chairs. However, these were later replaced with open benches made of pitch pine, which reduced the seating capacity to 500.

Special Gifts and Features

When the church was built in 1880–81, it received many gifts. Mr. John Marshall donated the east window. Mr. A Steevens gave the communion table. Mr. G. Steevens provided the lectern (a stand for reading). Two special Glastonbury chairs were also given, one by Mr. G. W. Mitchell and another by Mr. E. Jeboult.

The church's organ, a musical instrument, was built by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd from London. It was first played on October 7, 1883. An oak screen was added to the chancel arch in 1919. This screen serves as a memorial to those who served in World War I.

In the north aisle, you can see the "Railway Window." This window was designed by Clare Maryan Green in 2002. It celebrates the church's connections to the railway, which was very important to the local community.

Historic Status

St Andrew's Church was officially recognized as a listed building in 2016. Historic England, an organization that protects historical places, said the church has a "strong composition" and a "good quality interior." They also noted its "dramatic spatial handling and attention to detail." They were impressed that the church has changed very little since its expansion in 1892–93, and many of its original, high-quality features are still in place.