St Mary's Church, Mudford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| Location | Mudford, Somerset, England |
| Built | 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 19 April 1961 |
| Reference no. | 262693 |
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The Church of St Mary in Mudford, Somerset, England, is a very old and special building. It was built way back in the 14th century, which means it's hundreds of years old! This church is so important that it's been named a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
The Church of St Mary has a long history. In 1339, the church was given to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the church. This gift helped the church continue its important work in the community.
Special Features Inside
When you step inside the Church of St Mary, you'll find some amazing old items.
- There is a special pulpit from the Jacobean period. A pulpit is a raised stand where a priest gives sermons.
- You can also see a stone font that dates back to the 15th century. A font is a basin used for baptisms, which are special church ceremonies.
The Tall Church Tower
The church has a very tall tower that stands about 66 feet (20 m) high. This tower was built around 1498. It has three main sections, separated by stone lines. The top of the tower has a cool, jagged edge called a battlement. There are also small pointy decorations called pinnacles. Look closely, and you might spot some gargoyles too!
Tower Bells and Clock
On the northeast side of the tower, there's a stair turret with a weathervane. On the east side, you can see a clock face. Inside the tower are five old bells. These bells were made in 1582, 1621, 1623, 1664, and 1666. They were all made by the Purdue family, who lived nearby. The tower has been rebuilt a couple of times. It was rebuilt in 1309 and again in the early 1900s after it was hit by lightning!
Helping the Church Stay Strong
Because some of the high stone parts of the church were getting old, the Church of St Mary was put on the Heritage at Risk Register. This list helps keep track of important historic buildings that need repairs. Luckily, repairs were done in 2013 to fix these issues and keep the church safe.
Famous People Connected to the Church
The church graveyard is a peaceful place where people are buried. One important person buried here is Bishop Bill Flagg. He was the first Bishop of Northern Argentina and Paraguay. Bishop Flagg was born and grew up right here in Mudford.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
- List of Somerset towers
