St Mary's Church, North Huish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| Location | North Huish, Devon, England |
| Built | 14th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Church of St Mary | |
| Designated | 9 February 1961 |
| Reference no. | 1108208 |
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St Mary's Church is a very old and special church located in North Huish, a village in Devon, England. It was first built a long time ago, in the 14th century. This church is so important that it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it has great historical and architectural value.
Today, St Mary's Church is no longer used for regular church services. It is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps to protect and preserve old churches across England for everyone to enjoy. The church officially became part of the Trust's care in 1998.
History of St Mary's Church
Even though parts of the church are from the 14th century, some sections, like the south aisle (a side part of the church), were added in the 15th century. Records show that a church leader, called a rector, was present here as early as 1308.
The church building was largely rebuilt and officially opened in 1336 by a bishop named John Grandisson. Later, in the 19th century, the church had a lot of repair work and updates done to it. This was a common practice during the Victorian period.
The Church Tower
The church has a tall tower on its west side. This tower has two main levels. It is supported by strong stone structures called buttresses at each corner. These buttresses help to keep the walls stable.
To reach the area where the church bells are rung, there is a special staircase. This staircase is shaped like a polygon and is located on the north side of the tower. At the very top, the tower has an eight-sided, pointed roof called an octagonal spire. This spire sits back slightly from the tower's edges.
Inside the Church
When you go inside St Mary's Church, you can see many interesting old features. There are some early screens, which are decorative partitions, still in place. The font, which is a basin used for baptisms, is made of granite and has eight sides. It is carved with patterns and is dated 1662.
Most of the other furniture and decorations inside the church are from the Victorian era. This includes the pulpit, which is a raised platform where sermons are given. It is made of wood and has a polygonal shape. There are also wall tablets, which are plaques with inscriptions, from the Victorian period.
See also
