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 and special church located in a village called Chedzoy in Somerset, England. It was built a long, long time ago, starting in the 13th century. This means it's over 700 years old! Because it's so important and historic, it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England, showing how much it means to the country's history.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
The Church of St Mary has a long and interesting past. Records show that a church existed in Chedzoy as early as 1166. At that time, it was connected to Buckland Priory, a type of religious house.
Building Through the Centuries
Many parts of the church you see today were built at different times. The tall tower, for example, was added in the early 16th century. Around the same time, other features like the porch, the upper windows (called a clerestory), and new windows in the north aisle were also built.
Much of the church's current look comes from the 17th century. However, some very old parts still remain. These include the Norman chancel (the area around the altar), the arch leading into the chancel, and a doorway. In 1861, a famous architect named William Butterfield made many changes and updates to the church.
Old Features Inside
Even with all the changes, some ancient pieces of the church have survived. The font, which is used for baptisms, is from the 13th century. This means it's as old as the church itself! The pulpit, where sermons are given, dates back to the 16th century. You can also find memorials inside, including a special metal plaque called a monumental brass. People believe this brass remembers a person named Richard Sydenham, who passed away in 1499.
The Monmouth Rebellion Story
There's a local story about the church and a historical event called the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. The story says that soldiers fighting for the Duke of Monmouth sharpened their swords on the church walls before a big battle. However, historians think it's unlikely that these marks on the church walls were actually made by swords during the rebellion. It's a fun story, but probably not true!
Church Today
Today, the Church of St Mary is still an active church. It is part of a group of churches called the benefice of Westonzoyland with Chedzoy. This group belongs to the Sedgemoor deanery, which is a larger area within the church's organization.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
