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 in Taunton, Somerset, England. It is named after Mary Magdalene, a friend of Jesus. The church was finished in 1508. It is built in a style called Early Tudor Perpendicular Gothic. This means it has tall, grand windows and a strong, upright look. It is also a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic place. The church is well-known for its very tall tower.
Contents
History of the Church
St Mary's church likely started around 1180. This was part of a plan by Henry of Blois, who was the Bishop of Winchester. Since 1308, it has been the main church for the town of Taunton. Before that, it was connected to the Augustinian Taunton Priory. A new small chapel was blessed in 1437.
Building and Design
The church is made from sandstone. Its inside walls are painted. Most of the statues and stained glass windows you see today were added during a big restoration in the Victorian era. Inside the church, there are many memorials and plaques. These include special War Memorials for soldiers from Somerset, like those from the Somerset Light Infantry.
The Famous Tower
The church's tower was built around 1503. The money for it came from the successful wool trade in the area. The tower was rebuilt between 1858 and 1862. It was carefully copied from the original design by Sir George Gilbert Scott and Benjamin Ferrey. They used local stone from a quarry at Williton.
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 stands 131 feet (40 metres) high to its roof. If you measure to the very top of its pointy parts, called pinnacles, it is 158 feet (48 metres) tall.
A famous expert on English churches, Simon Jenkins, called the tower "the noblest parish tower in England." The tower has 15 bells and a clock.
The Bells of the Tower
Out of the 15 bells, 12 are used for full-circle ringing. This is a special way of ringing bells in a circle. The largest bell, called the tenor, weighs about 2.75 tons. There is also an extra bell that allows a lighter set of 8 bells to be rung. These ringing bells, plus two more, form a chime. This is sometimes called a carillon, though that's not quite right. The bells used for ringing today were made by Taylors of Loughborough in 2016. There is also an older display bell from 1922.
Repairs and Challenges
Over the years, the church has faced damage from the weather. There have been several fundraising efforts to fix the building. For example, £135,000 was needed to repair the tower's stonework after two pinnacles fell through the roof. In 2009, some windows were damaged by vandals. However, the old medieval stained glass was safe because it is protected by wire mesh.
= Important People
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 high church ideas, was the vicar from 1727 until he died in 1757. He is also buried in the churchyard. There is a Latin message inside the church to remember him.
Taunton Minster Today
Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene church) is now part of a larger group of churches. This group includes the Church of St John the Evangelist, Taunton. The church is part of the Archdeaconry of Taunton within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
For a long time, the church followed a low church and evangelical tradition. This means it focused more on the Bible and personal faith. However, it has recently moved towards a central churchmanship. This is a more balanced approach to church practices.
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
