St Nicholas' Church, Abbotsbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas' Church |
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St Nicholas' Church
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Abbotsbury, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
St Nicholas' Church is an old and beautiful church located in Abbotsbury, a village in Dorset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. Parts of this church are very old, dating back to the 14th century! Over the years, it has been changed and added to, making it a mix of different historical styles.
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Discover St Nicholas' Church
St Nicholas' Church is a special place with a long history. It has seen many events over the centuries. The church is still active today, serving the local community.
A Look at Church History
The very first parts of St Nicholas' Church were built in the 14th century (the 1300s). Later, in the 15th century (the 1400s), more sections were added. This included the tall tower at the west end and a small chapel on the north side.
The church has been carefully repaired and updated many times. These important restoration projects happened in 1807–08, again in 1885, and finally in 1930. These efforts help keep the old building strong and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Cool Things to See
St Nicholas' Church holds some interesting secrets and features.
The Abbot's Statue
In the church's entrance porch, you can find a stone statue, called an effigy. This effigy shows an abbot, who was the head of a monastery. This special statue was discovered in 1778. It was found at the site of the old Abbotsbury Abbey, which was once a very important religious building. Experts believe the statue is about 800 years old, from around the year 1200.
The Bullet-Holed Pulpit
Inside the church, there is a pulpit. A pulpit is a raised platform where a speaker stands to give a sermon. This one is from the Jacobean period, which was in the early 1600s. What makes it really interesting are two bullet holes!
These holes are from a fight that happened in 1664 during the English Civil War. This was a big conflict in England between two main groups: the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. The Parliamentarians were fighting against the Royalists, who supported the King. During this time, the Parliamentarians surrounded and attacked the Royalists who were taking shelter in the church. The bullet holes are a real reminder of this historical battle.
Protecting History
St Nicholas' Church is recognized as a very important historical building. Since 1956, it has been a Grade I listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural importance and is protected by law.
In 2015, another important part of the church grounds also became listed. The memorial in the churchyard, which remembers those who served in World War I, became Grade II listed. This memorial was built around 1920.
