St Mary's Church, Wedmore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary
General information
Town or city	Wedmore
Country	England
Coordinates	51°13′40″N 2°48′40″W / 51.2277°N 2.8110°W / 51.2277; -2.8110
Completed	15th century

The Church of St Mary is a very old and important church located in the village of Wedmore, in Somerset, England. Most of the church was built in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old! However, some parts are even older, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. This beautiful building is so special that it has been given a Grade I listed building status. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural interest.

The Church Tower: A Tall Landmark

The most noticeable part of the Church of St Mary is its tall tower. This tower was built around the year 1400. It features special supports called "set-back buttresses" which help to make the tower strong and stable.

Bell Chamber Windows

Near the top of the tower, you can see triple windows in the "bell chamber." This is where the church bells are kept. The windows in the very middle have wooden slats called "louvres," which allow the sound of the bells to travel out. The windows on either side are decorative and do not have louvres.

What is a Grade I Listed Building?

When a building is given a "listed building" status in England, it means it's protected because of its historical or architectural importance. There are different grades:

• Grade I is the highest level. It means the building is of "exceptional interest." Only about 2.5% of all listed buildings are Grade I.
• Grade II* means it's a "particularly important building of more than special interest."
• Grade II means it's of "special interest."

The Church of St Mary being Grade I listed shows just how valuable and unique it is to England's history and heritage.

See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
• List of towers in Somerset
• List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells