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St Bartholomew's Church, Cranmore facts for kids

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Church of St Bartholomew
Stone building with arched porchway. Prominent square tower to the left hand end of building. In the foreground gravestones and crosses on grass.
General information
Architectural style perpendicular
Town or city Cranmore, Somerset
Country England
Coordinates 51°11′18″N 2°28′34″W / 51.1882°N 2.4761°W / 51.1882; -2.4761
Completed 15th century

The Church of St Bartholomew in Cranmore, Somerset, England, is a very old and special building. It was built in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old! This church is so important that it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most historically significant buildings in England.

The Church's History and Look

How Old Is It?

The main part of the Church of St Bartholomew was built in the 1400s. Imagine all the history this building has seen! Over the years, parts of it have been updated. For example, the chancel, which is the area around the altar, was rebuilt in 1848. This new part was made in a style called "Perpendicular Early English."

What Does It Look Like?

The church has a tall, square tower with three levels. This tower is topped with a crinkled edge, like a castle wall. Strong buttresses, which are supports, help hold the tower up. You can also see pointy decorations called pinnacles at the corners. Look closely, and you might spot gargoyles, which are carved stone figures that often act as water spouts. Inside the tower, there's a beautiful stone ceiling that looks like a fan, called a fan vault.

Inside the Church

When you go inside, you'll find interesting things to see. There are special stone carvings on the walls called monuments. Many of these remember important local families, like the Strode family and the Chetham family. You can also see a very old funeral bier, which is a stand used to carry a coffin. This bier dates all the way back to 1597!

Connections to Other Churches

The Church of St Bartholomew is part of a larger group of churches. It works closely with the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Shepton Mallet. This group also includes the Church of St Aldhelm in Doulting. They all belong to the larger church area known as the Archdeaconry of Wells.

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