St Peter's Church, West Huntspill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Peter |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Huntspill |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°12′15″N 2°59′48″W / 51.2042°N 2.9966°W |
| Completed | c. 1400 |
The Church of St Peter in Huntspill, Somerset, England, is a very old church. It was first built a long time ago, around the year 1208. Most of what you see today was rebuilt around 1400. It was made even bigger in the early 1400s.
Sadly, a big fire damaged the church in 1878. It was then carefully fixed up over the next two years. This church is so important that it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's a special historic place that needs to be protected.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
Long before the Norman Conquest (around 1066), the Christian community in Huntspill was given to Glastonbury Abbey. This gift was made by King Offa of Mercia. Later, in the 1200s, the church was given to Tickford Priory. This priory was located in Newport Pagnell.
After some time, the church came under the control of the Bishop of Wells. Since the 1700s, Balliol College, Oxford has been in charge of choosing the church's leader.
Changing Names
The church was originally named "All Saints." Around 1872, its name changed to "St Peter." Then, in the 1950s, it got its current name: "St Peter and All Hallows."
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Peter has a main area called the nave. It also has a chancel, which is where the altar is. Both of these parts are quite long.
The church has a tall, square tower on its west side. This tower has four levels. Inside the tower are six bells. These bells were put in place in 1879. They replaced five older bells, the oldest of which was from 1693.
Restoring the Church
In 1878, a major fire badly damaged the church. The inside of the church and its roof were completely burned. Only the stone walls were left standing.
After the fire, the church went through a big repair project. This was called a "Victorian restoration" because it happened during the Victorian era. The work took place between 1878 and 1880.
In 2011, there were plans to add glass to the Lady Chapel and the north door. However, this work was delayed. The company doing the repairs had some financial problems.
Church Community
The Church of St Peter is part of a larger church area. This area is called the Huntspill and East Huntspill benefice. It belongs to the Axbridge deanery.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
