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 first built way back in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! Because it's so old and important, it has been given a special status called a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a building of great historical interest and is protected.
Exploring St Mary's Church
The Church Tower
The main part of the church, called the nave, and its arched walkways, known as arcades, are from the 13th century. The tall tower you see was added later, in the early 16th century. It stands 89 feet (about 27 meters) high, including its pointy tops.
The tower has three main sections and a cool, jagged top edge called a crenellation, which looks a bit like a castle wall. It also has fancy, pointy decorations called crocketed pinnacles. You might also spot some interesting stone carvings high up on the corners. These are called "hunky punks." They are different from gargoyles because they don't spout water. They are just there for decoration!
Inside the Church
When you step inside the church, you'll find even more history. There's a font (a basin used for baptisms) from the 16th century. The pulpit, where sermons are given, was made in 1742. Look closely at the wooden benches; their ends have detailed carvings from the 1520s!
One of the most impressive things inside is the tomb of John de la Warre. He was a knight who fought in a famous battle called the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. His tomb is made from a special dark stone called Purbeck Marble and is a big feature in the south part of the church. The church also has many beautiful stained glass windows, which fill the space with colorful light.
The Churchyard
Outside the church, in the churchyard, you can find the tombs of the Warre family. This family used to own a nearby grand house called Hestercombe House.
The Church of St Mary is part of a larger group of churches in the area, working together with the church in Broomfield.
