St Michael's Church, Milverton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael |
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St Michael's Church in Milverton, England
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Milverton |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°01′32″N 3°15′13″W / 51.0256°N 3.2537°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Church of St Michael is a very old church in Milverton, Somerset, England. It was built in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! Before this church, there was an even older chapel on the same spot.
This church is super important. It's known as a Grade I listed building. This means it's a special historic place that needs to be protected.
The church is made from red sandstone. It also has special details made from Hamstone. Inside, you can see amazing carved wooden benches. These benches were made way back in the mid-16th century. In 1850, an architect named John Hayward helped fix and make the church bigger.
Contents
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Michael in Milverton is a Grade I listed building. It got this special protection on January 25, 1956. Some parts of the church are from the 13th century. But most of it was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was repaired and updated between 1849 and 1850.
Building Materials and Shape
The church is built from red sandstone rocks. It has special Hamstone details. The roofs are made of slate. The church has a main area called a nave. It also has north and south aisles, which are like side sections. There's a porch on the south side from the 14th century.
The Tall Tower
The church has a tall tower on its west side. This tower is a bit angled compared to the rest of the building. It has three main levels. At the very top, it has crenellations, which look like the tops of old castles. There are also pointed decorations called pinnacles at the corners. Strong supports called diagonal buttresses help hold it up.
Long ago, people used the north wall of the tower for playing a game. It was a racquet game called fives. The north wall of the church also has stepped buttresses. These are extra supports between the windows.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church walls are smooth and covered. There are tall, eight-sided pillars. These pillars hold up the arched ceilings. The ceilings are shaped like the inside of a wagon. There are also balconies in the north and south aisles. You can see a round font inside. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This one is very old, from the Norman period.
The ends of the pews (church benches) have amazing carvings. These carvings were made in the early 16th century. There's also a screen from the early 1900s. It has some older carved pieces from the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
The Church of St Michael is part of the Anglican Church. It serves the local area, including Halse, Fitzhead, and Ash Priors.
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
