Taunton Minster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene church) |
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| 51°00′56″N 3°06′03″W / 51.01568°N 3.10075°W | |
| Location | Taunton |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Central |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Mary Magdalene |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Style | Early Tudor Perpendicular Gothic style |
| Completed | 1508 |
| Specifications | |
| Height | 158 ft (48 m) (tower) |
| Bells | 15 |
| Administration | |
| Benefice | Taunton (St Mary Magdalene) (St John the Evangelist) |
| Deanery | Taunton |
| Archdeaconry | Taunton |
| Diocese | Bath and Wells |
| Province | Canterbury |
Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene church) is a special Church of England church located in Taunton, Somerset, England. It is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, a friend of Jesus. This beautiful church was finished in 1508. It is built in a style called Early Tudor Perpendicular Gothic, which means it has tall, straight lines and large windows. It is so important that it is a Grade I listed building, which is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England. The church is especially famous for its very tall tower.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
The church of St Mary was likely started around 1180. This was part of a big plan to organize Taunton by Henry of Blois, who was the Bishop of Winchester. Since 1308, it has been the main church for the town. Before that, it was connected to the Augustinian Taunton Priory, which was a type of monastery. A new chapel was added and made sacred in 1437.
Building Materials and Inside the Church
The church is made from sandstone, and its inside walls are painted. Many of the statues and colorful stained glass windows you see today were added during a big restoration in the Victorian era. Inside the church, there are also many memorials and plaques. These include special War Memorials for soldiers from Somerset, like those from the Somerset Light Infantry.
The Famous Tower
Construction and Design
The church's tall tower was built around 1503. The money for this came from the successful wool trade in the area. The tower was rebuilt between 1858 and 1862. It was designed to look exactly like the original by Sir George Gilbert Scott and Benjamin Ferrey. They used special stones from different places, including Otter sandstone and Igneous Diorite.
Tower's Importance and Height
This tower is thought to be one of the best examples of a Somerset tower. It is a well-known landmark in the area. The tower reaches 131 feet (40 meters) high to its roof. If you measure to the very tips of its pointy tops, called pinnacles, it is 158 feet (48 meters) tall. A famous expert on English churches, Simon Jenkins, once called it "the noblest parish tower in England."
Bells of the Tower
The tower has 15 bells and a clock. Twelve of these bells are used for full-circle ringing, which is a special way of ringing bells in a pattern. The heaviest bell weighs about 27 long tons. There is also an extra bell that allows a lighter set of eight bells to be rung. These ringing bells, along with two other bells, form a chime. The current set of bells was made by Taylors of Loughborough in 2016. There is also an older display bell from 1922.
Challenges and Repairs
Over the years, the church has faced damage from the weather. There have been several fundraising efforts to help fix the building. For example, one appeal raised £135,000 to repair the tower's stonework after two of its pinnacles fell through the roof. In 2009, some vandals damaged windows, but the old stained glass, which includes pieces from the medieval era, was safe because it was protected by wire mesh.
Notable People Connected to the Church
Joseph Alleine, a well-known Puritan minister and writer, worked at the church in the 1660s. He is buried in the churchyard. John Boswell, a writer who supported the Tory party and a traditional style of church, was the vicar at St Mary's from 1727 until he passed away in 1757. He is also buried in the churchyard, and there is a special Latin message inside the church to remember him.
The Church Today
Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene church) is now part of a group of churches that work together, including the Church of St John the Evangelist, Taunton. It belongs to the Archdeaconry of Taunton within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
For a long time, the church followed a more simple and evangelical style of worship. However, in recent years, it has moved towards a more balanced or "central" style of churchmanship. On Sunday, March 13, 2022, St Mary Magdalene church officially became Taunton Minster during a special service.
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
