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St Bartholomew's Church, Bathealton facts for kids

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St Bartholomew's Church
St Bartholomew's Church, Bathealton (geograph 4030164).jpg
Religion
Affiliation Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Active
Year consecrated 1854
Location
Location Bathealton, Somerset, England
Architecture
Architect(s) Charles Edmund Giles
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Decorated Gothic

St Bartholomew's Church is a special old church in Bathealton, a village in Somerset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This beautiful building was finished in 1854. It was designed by an architect named C. E. Giles. Today, it is a 'Grade II listed building,' which means it's an important historical place. The church is also part of a group of churches called the Wellington and District Team Ministry.

The Church's Story

Early Days of the Church

People believe the very first church on this spot was built a long time ago. It might have been around the early 1300s. Later, in the 1500s, the church was rebuilt. This happened thanks to money left in the will of Elizabeth Siddenham in 1542.

Rebuilding and Repairs

The part of the church called the chancel was rebuilt in 1774. Other big repairs were done over time. However, by the 1850s, the church building was in poor condition. It was decided that the old church needed to be taken down. In 1853, permission was given to demolish it and build a new one.

A New Church is Built

Plans for the new church were made by Charles Edmund Giles. He was an architect from Taunton. A man named Henry Gorges Moysey paid for the entire new church himself. He lived at Bathealton Court. The church cost £1,881 to build.

The new St Bartholomew's Church was officially opened on September 18, 1854. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Robert Eden, led the special ceremony.

Later Gifts and Upkeep

In 1901, a lady named Mrs. Burton Borough gave a clock for the church's tower. Around 1964, the church needed more repairs. Workers treated the wooden parts for bugs and rot. They also fixed the outside stone walls and replaced broken roof tiles. These repairs helped keep the church strong and beautiful.

What the Church Looks Like

Building Materials and Parts

St Bartholomew's Church is built from red sandstone. It has white limestone details and a tiled roof. The church has a main area called the nave with three sections. It also has a chancel, which is the area near the altar.

There is a north aisle, a small room called a vestry, and a porch on the south side. The church also has a tall tower on the west side. This tower has three levels and holds four bells. It has a decorative top with battlements and a small staircase turret.

Inside the Church

Inside, you can see many features from the mid-1800s. There is an archway with eight-sided pillars that connect different parts of the church.

An interesting piece of history inside the church is a stone lintel. This is a stone beam that used to be above a doorway. It came from the older church that stood here in the 1500s. You can find it now in the room where the bell ringers work.

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