St Mary's Church, West Buckland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | West Buckland |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 50°58′40″N 3°10′44″W / 50.9778°N 3.1789°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Mary is an old church located in West Buckland, a village in Somerset, England. This church is very special because it started being built in the 1200s. It is officially known as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
The Church of St Mary was built a long time ago, between the years 1275 and 1300. It was constructed on the same spot where an even older church, built in the Norman style, once stood.
What the Church Looks Like
This church has a main area called a nave with two side sections, known as aisles. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is. There are also smaller chapels on the north and south sides. The roof inside is a special type called a hammerbeam roof, which is made of strong wooden beams.
The church has a tall, three-part tower that was built around the year 1509. This tower has a crenelated top, which looks like the top of a castle wall. Strong supports called buttresses help hold the tower up.
The Church Bells
Inside the tower, there are six bells. The oldest bell was made in 1606, which means it's over 400 years old! These bells were made by a famous company called the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
In 1838, a special balcony was added for the choir and the organ. However, this balcony was later removed in 1891 during some changes to the church.
Inside the Church
One of the oldest things inside the church is a font used for baptisms. It is made from a special type of stone called Purbeck marble and dates all the way back to 1140.
The Church of St Mary is part of the Wellington and District area for churches. It belongs to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is a larger group of churches in the region.
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
