St Mary's Church, Bruton Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Bruton
St Mary's church from the south-west
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Location	Bruton, Somerset
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Style	Gothic, Rococo
Years built	1350-1743
Specifications
Number of towers	2
Tower height	102.5 feet (31.2 metres)
Bells	6
Tenor bell weight	25cwt-3qrs-1lbs in D
Administration
Parish	Bruton with Wyke and Redlynch
Benefice	Bruton, Brewham, Pitcombe and Shepton Montague
Deanery	Bruton and Cary
Archdeaconry	Wells
Diocese	Bath & Wells
Province	Canterbury

The Church of St Mary in Bruton, Somerset, England, is a very old church. Most of it was built in the 14th century. It is special because it has two towers, which is unusual. One of its towers is considered a very powerful example of Somerset architecture. The church is a Grade I listed building, meaning it is a very important historical building.

History of the Church
Church Architecture and Design
Church Bells
Important People Buried Here
Images for kids
See also

History of the Church

The first church on this spot was started way back in the 7th century. It was founded by King Ine of Wessex. Over time, it grew into a large Augustinian priory, which is like a monastery. Later, it became Bruton Abbey.

This church was part of the abbey grounds. Even though it was technically a chapel of the abbey, it always served as the main church for the town of Bruton. It even had a room in its north tower that might have been a school.

The oldest parts of the church we see today were built around 1350. These include the north side (called the north aisle) and the north tower. There is also a secret underground room (a crypt) from the same time. These three parts made up the first church.

In the 15th century, the church became much bigger. In 1445, work began on a much larger west tower. Then, a new south aisle and the main central area (the nave) were added. The roof and upper windows (the clerestory) were built between 1506 and 1523.

In 1743, the front part of the church where the altar is (the chancel) was rebuilt. It was given a fancy, curvy style called Rococo. This style is quite different from the older parts of the church.

The Berkeley family, who were important in Bruton, have a long history with the church. One family member, William Berkeley, moved to America. He became the governor of Virginia. Because of this, St Mary's Church has connections to Bruton Parish Church in Virginia, USA.

Church Architecture and Design

St Mary's Church has two towers. The bigger one, the west tower, was built between 1445 and 1446. It is about 31.2 meters (102.5 feet) tall. This tower is a famous landmark in Bruton. You can see it from many places around the town.

The older north tower is simpler. It has three levels and a small staircase tower. It is placed in an unusual spot, right above the church entrance.

The west tower is much more decorated. It was built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. It has a large 15th-century window, a clock, and special spots for statues. The top part of the tower has sets of three windows with thin stone bars (mullions). It is topped with four tall, pointed decorations called pinnacles. The west tower was repaired in 1910, with new stone added to the outside.

The main part of the church (the nave) was built in the late 15th century. It also shows the Perpendicular Gothic style. The roof of the nave has strong wooden beams that support it.

The chancel, rebuilt in 1743, looks very different from the rest of the church. It has a Rococo or Late Baroque style. Its ceiling is made of plaster with gold leaf decorations. The screen behind the altar (the reredos) has carvings of important Christian symbols.

Church Bells

The church has six large bells in its west tower. These bells are very heavy! In fact, they are the ninth heaviest set of six bells in the world used for a special type of ringing called change ringing.

The oldest bell is from 1528. The next oldest was made in 1618. In 1752, two more bells were added. The largest bell, called the tenor bell, was remade in 1846 and again in 1930. This tenor bell is 132 cm (52 inches) wide and weighs about 1309 kg (25 and three quarter hundredweight). It rings the note D.

In 1910, all six bells were rehung in a new metal frame. In 1997, the bells were checked and updated again. There is also a smaller bell, called a sanctus bell, that hangs above the main six bells. It weighs about 75 kg (1 and a half hundredweight).