St Michael's Church, Brent Knoll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Brent Knoll |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°15′07″N 2°57′14″W / 51.2520°N 2.9539°W |
| Completed | 11th century |
The Church of St Michael is a very old and interesting church located in the village of Brent Knoll in Somerset, England. It was first built way back in the 11th century, which means it's over 900 years old! Over the centuries, it has been changed and updated many times. This church is so special that it's been given a "Grade I listed building" status. This means it's considered a building of great historical importance.
You can still see a Norman doorway from the earliest times. However, most of the church you see today was built around the year 1290. A part called the north aisle was added later, in the late 15th century.
The church is also famous for its unique carvings. Some of these are found on the ends of the pews (the long benches where people sit). Three carvings in particular tell a story, like a cartoon. They are thought to show a greedy Abbot of Glastonbury as a fox. The church also has a pulpit, which is a raised platform for speaking, from the 17th century.
Exploring St Michael's Church
The Parish Church of St Michael at Brent Knoll has a long history. Its first parts were built in the 11th century. More building work happened in the 14th and 15th centuries. Then, in the 19th century, it was restored and repaired.
The church is built from strong, rough stone blocks. Its roofs are covered with lead sheets, except for the chancel roof, which has slate tiles. At the ends of the roof, you can see cross-shaped decorations called finials.
Church Design and Features
Most of the church is built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This style was popular in England from the late 14th to the early 16th centuries. The church's layout includes the nave (the main part where people sit), the chancel (the area around the altar), and the north aisle (a side section). There's also a south porch from the 14th century and a south transept. The transept is now used as a vestry, which is a room where clergy prepare for services.
The tower of the church is at the west end. It was built in the 14th century and has three levels. It has strong supports called buttresses that stick out from the walls. At the very top, there's a low wall called a parapet with pointed decorations called pinnacles. You can also see gargoyles, which are carved stone figures that help drain rainwater away from the building. The Norman doorway in the south porch has zigzag patterns called chevron decorations.
Inside the Church
The nave, built in the 15th century, has a special ceiling called a wagon roof. It looks like the inside of a covered wagon. Inside the church, you'll find many old items. There's a font (a basin for baptisms) from the 11th century. The pulpit is dated 1637. You can also see a Jacobean coffin-stool and a chair, which are pieces of furniture from the time of King James I (early 17th century). There's also a medieval parish chest, which was used to store important church documents.
The church is especially known for its detailed carvings on the ends of the pews. These carvings are very old, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. They tell stories and show interesting figures.
Today, the church is not just for services. It also hosts musical and art events every summer, bringing the community together.
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
