St Mary's Church, Hardington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Hardington |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°16′16″N 2°22′09″W / 51.2710°N 2.3691°W |
| Completed | 11th century |
The Church of St Mary is a very old building in Hardington, a small place in Somerset, England. It was built way back in the 11th century, which means it's over 900 years old! Because it's so old and important, it has been named a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England and is protected.
The church has a main hall called a nave. It also has a small tower at the west end, which was added later in the late 14th century. In the 19th century, the front part of the church, known as the chancel, was mostly rebuilt. The area around Hardington used to be its own parish in the Middle Ages, but it joined with Hemington in 1733.
Today, the Church of St Mary is no longer used for church services. Since 1972, it has been looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This is a special charity that helps to protect old churches that are no longer in use, making sure they stay safe for future generations to visit and learn from.
Inside the church, you can still see some amazing old things. There are small pieces of wall paintings from the Middle Ages. These paintings would have covered the walls a long, long time ago. You can also find a wooden board painted with the official symbols, or "arms," of King Charles I. He was a king of England in the 1600s.
Contents
Exploring the Church's History
What is a Grade I Listed Building?
A Grade I listed building is a very special kind of historic building in England. It means the building is considered to be of "exceptional interest." Only about 2.5% of all listed buildings have this top Grade I status. It helps protect these buildings so they can be preserved for many years.
Understanding Church Parts
When you visit an old church, you might hear words like "nave" and "chancel."
- The nave is the main part of the church. This is where the people who came to worship would sit or stand.
- The chancel is the area near the altar. It was usually reserved for the clergy, like priests, and the choir.
The Middle Ages and Beyond
The Middle Ages was a long period of history, roughly from the 5th to the 15th century. The Church of St Mary was built during this time. Over the centuries, parts of the church were changed or rebuilt, like the chancel in the 19th century. This shows how buildings can evolve over hundreds of years.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
- List of Somerset towers
Images for kids
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The Church of St Mary at Hardington.
