St Martin's Church, Kingsbury Episcopi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Martin |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset, England |
| Built | 14th century |
|
Listed Building – Grade I
|
|
| Designated | 17 April 1959 |
| Reference no. | 264374 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Church of St Martin is a very old and special church located in a village called Kingsbury Episcopi in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 14th century, which means it's over 600 years old! Because it's so old and important, it has been given a special title: a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.
Contents
A Look at St Martin's Church
The Church of St Martin is named after a saint called Martin of Tours. Before this church was built, there was an even older church on the same spot. That first church was built by the Saxons, but sadly, no parts of it remain today.
The Amazing Tower
One of the most impressive parts of St Martin's Church is its tall, beautiful tower. It's called a "Somerset Tower" because this style of church tower is common in the Somerset area. This tower stands about 99 feet (30 meters) tall! It was built using strong stone from a nearby place called Ham Hill. Experts believe the tower was finished around the year 1515.
The tower has four main sections, one on top of the other. It's supported by strong buttresses, which are like extra walls that help hold it up. You can also see decorative bands with patterns that look like four-leaf clovers, called quatrefoils. At the very top, the tower has battlements, which look like the tops of old castles, and pointy decorations called pinnacles.
Inside the Church
When you step inside the church, you'll find a large main area called the nave. This part of the church has four sections with aisles, which are walkways on the sides. A famous expert named Nikolaus Pevsner described the front part of the church, called the chancel, as "gloriously lit." He suggested visiting on a sunny morning to see it at its best. He also thought the nave was older than the tower, built before the 1400s.
What is a Listed Building?
Being a Grade I listed building means the Church of St Martin is considered to be of exceptional national importance. It's like being on a very special list of buildings that need to be protected and preserved for future generations. This church was added to this important list on April 17, 1959.
Church History and Care
The Church of St Martin has been looked after for many centuries. It had a big renovation, which means it was repaired and updated, between the years 1845 and 1849. Today, the church is part of a group of churches that work together in the area, including those in East Lambrook and Hambridge.
