St George's Church, Beckington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St George, Beckington |
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 Church of St George, Beckington
Location in Somerset
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| 51°15′49″N 2°17′08″W / 51.2635°N 2.2855°W | |
| Location | Beckington |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical Anglicanism |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Completed | 14th century |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Beckington with Standerwick |
| Archdeaconry | Wells |
| Diocese | Bath and Wells |
The Church of St George is a special church in Beckington, a village in Somerset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is very old, built in the 14th century, and shows off Norman architecture. It's so important that it's been named a Grade I listed building, which means it's a protected historic place.
Contents
History of the Church
The Church of St George has a long and interesting past. The first known leader, called a rector, was Matrin de Sutton. He started his role in 1411. However, the church itself is much older than that.
Early Beginnings and Norman Style
Experts believe the church was first built during the Norman period. This was a time when a specific style of building was popular in England. It might even have been built on the site of an even older Saxon church. The tall, four-part tower of the church still looks much like it did in the Norman times.
Changes Over the Years
Over hundreds of years, the church has had many updates. In the early 1600s, during the Jacobean period, new parts were added. These included a special screen and a communion table. A memorial was also placed for the poet Samuel Daniel, who passed away in the area in 1619.
More changes happened in the 1700s. In 1754, the main roof of the church was replaced. Two years later, in 1756, two new bells were put into the tower. These bells were made by a famous family of bell makers, the Bilbie family. Later, in 1906, the original six bells were remade. Two more bells were added during a big repair of the tower.
Churchyard and War Graves
The area around the church, called the churchyard, is where many people are buried. It includes a special grave for a soldier from the Royal Artillery. This soldier fought in World War II and is remembered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St George is still an active place of worship. It is part of a group of churches in the area. This group includes churches in Beckington, Standerwick, Berkley, Lullington, Orchardleigh, and Rodden. All these churches are part of the larger Diocese of Bath and Wells.
More to Explore
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
