St Mary's Church, Kingston St Mary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Kingston St Mary |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°03′41″N 3°06′37″W / 51.0615°N 3.1103°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Mary is a very old church located in Kingston St Mary, a village in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! This church is so special that it's been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's considered one of the most important historic buildings in England and is protected.
Contents
Exploring the Church of St Mary
The main part of the church, called the nave, and its arched walkways (arcades) were built in the 13th century. Imagine how many people have walked through these same spaces over hundreds of years!
The Tall Church Tower
The church's tall tower was added later, in the early 16th century. It's like a crown on top of the church! This tower has three main sections and a special top edge that looks like the battlements of a castle. This style is called "crenellated."
Pointy Tops and Funny Carvings
The tower also has pointy decorations called "pinnacles" at its corners. Some of these pinnacles have little hook-like shapes called "crockets." Look closely, and you might spot some interesting stone carvings high up on the corners of the tower. These are called "hunky punks." They are decorative figures that often look like squatting creatures. Unlike gargoyles, which are designed to spout water away from the building, hunky punks are just for decoration. The tower, including these pointy tops, stands about 89 feet (27 metres) tall!
Inside the Church
When you step inside the Church of St Mary, you'll find more history. The font, used for baptisms, is from the 16th century. The pulpit, where sermons are given, was made in 1742. You can also see beautifully carved wooden bench ends from the 1520s.
The Tomb of a Knight
One of the most impressive features inside is the tomb of John de la Warre. He was the 4th Earl De La Warr and a brave knight who fought in the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. His tomb is made from a special dark stone called Purbeck Marble and is a major feature in the south aisle of the church. The church also has many beautiful stained glass windows that fill the space with colorful light.
The Churchyard and Family History
Outside the church, in the churchyard, you'll find old tombs belonging to the Warre family. This family once owned the grand Hestercombe House nearby.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Taunton Deane
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
