St Mary's Church, Chedzoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Chedzoy |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°08′04″N 2°56′34″W / 51.1345°N 2.9429°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Mary is a very old church in a village called Chedzoy in Somerset, England. It was built a long, long time ago, starting in the 13th century. That means it's over 700 years old! Because it's so old and important, it's officially known as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most special historic buildings in England.
About St Mary's Church
People know there was a church in Chedzoy even earlier, around 1166. Back then, it was given to a place called Buckland Priory. The tall tower you see today was added much later, in the early 1500s. At that time, other parts were also built, like the entrance porch and new windows.
Inside the Church
Even though many parts of the church were rebuilt in the 1600s, some very old sections still remain. For example, the chancel (the area around the altar) and a special doorway are from the original Norman church.
In 1861, a famous architect named William Butterfield made many changes to the church. However, some really old items survived! The font, which is used for baptisms, is from the 13th century, just like the church itself. The pulpit, where sermons are given, is from the 1500s. You can also find old memorials inside, including a special metal plate called a monumental brass. People believe it remembers a person named Richard Sydenham, who passed away in 1499.
The Monmouth Rebellion Story
There's a cool local story about the church from 1685. During a big fight called the Monmouth Rebellion, soldiers fighting for the Duke of Monmouth were said to have sharpened their swords on the church walls. People say you can still see marks from their swords! However, historians think these marks probably came from something else, not from soldiers sharpening their weapons. It's still a fun story to imagine, though!
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
