St Brannock's Church, Braunton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Brannock's Church |
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St Brannock's Church, Braunton
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| 51°06′47″N 4°09′35″W / 51.1130°N 4.1597°W | |
| Location | Braunton |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Liberal Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | http://www.brauntonchurch.org |
| History | |
| Founded | c.550 AD (origins) |
| Founder(s) | St Brannock |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Early English |
| Years built | Thirteenth Century |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Exeter |
St Brannock's Church is a very old Church of England church. You can find it in the village of Braunton, which is in Devon, England. People say that Saint Brannock, a Christian saint from the 500s, started the church. It became a special historic building, called a Grade I listed building, on February 25, 1965.
Contents
The Church's Long History
The church you see today was built in the 1200s. It stands on the same spot where an even older Saxon church once stood. People believe that Christians have worshipped here since the 500s. St Brannock was an early Christian saint. He is thought to have traveled from South Wales to Braunton. There, he started a monastery, which is a place where monks live and pray. Some people even believe that St Brannock is buried under the church's main altar.
The Legend of the Sow and Piglets
There's a local story about how St Brannock chose the church's location. The legend says he first built his church on a hill. But it kept falling down! Then, in a dream, he was told to look for "a sow and piglets." This would be the perfect spot for his new church. This fun story is shown in one of the church's stained glass windows. You can also see a carving of a sow feeding her piglets on a roof boss inside the church.
Restoring the Church After a Fire
In July 2003, the church was badly damaged by a fire. The fire destroyed the area where the organ pipes were kept. These pipes were very old, dating back to the 1500s! Some of the church pews and an old Bible were also damaged. Because of the fire, church services had to be held in the nearby Brannock Rooms. This was only for a short time while the church was being repaired. The church was carefully restored and reopened.
Exploring the Church's Design
A famous expert named Nikolaus Pevsner once said that St Brannock's Church is one of the most interesting churches in North Devon. He noted its large south tower, which looks very old. The church also has a special lead-covered spire, similar to one in Barnstaple. What's really unique is the main part of the church, called the nave. It's very wide, about 34 feet across, but it doesn't have any side aisles.
Special Features Inside the Church
Another expert, Sir John Betjeman, said the church is "well worth visiting." He especially liked its wide nave and the beautiful roof. This roof has many detailed carvings from the 1400s called bosses. Inside, you can also see a very old font, which is used for baptisms. There's also a pulpit from the Jacobean period and carved wooden pews from the 1300s.
Some of the pew ends, which are the decorative parts at the end of the benches, are from the 1500s. They are made of carved chestnut wood. One of these carvings shows St Brannock with a cow. This carving tells another story about the saint. It's said that a neighbor stole his cow and cooked it. But when St Brannock called the cow's name, it came back to life!
Oldest Parts and Memorials
The church's tower is more than 700 years old. The chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar, is also very old. It has a special arch and three narrow windows. In the south chapel, built in the 1400s, there's a unique brass plaque. It's a palimpsest, meaning it was used twice. You can lift it up to see both sides! The oldest thing found in the church is a Saxon burial stone. There's also a chest that some people believe came from the Spanish Armada.
The church has a war memorial to remember soldiers from the village. It was dedicated on November 2, 1921. This memorial honors those who died during the First World War. It's made of stone from Somerset and was repaired in 2009.
Church Activities and Events
St Brannock's Church is not just a place for worship. It often hosts musical events. For example, the folk singer Julie Felix once performed there. The church also holds exhibitions that show off local culture and history. It's a busy place that brings the community together.
Images for kids
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The wide 13th-century nave with 16th-century pews
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A view of the church from the northwest
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The church exterior seen from the south
