St Peter's Church, Catcott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Peter |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Catcott |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°08′59″N 2°52′03″W / 51.1496°N 2.8675°W |
| Completed | 15th century |
The Church of St Peter is an old church in Catcott, a village in Somerset, England. Most of the church was built in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old! Some parts are even older, from the 13th century.
This church is very important, so it has been named a Grade I listed building. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected because of its history and unique design.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
The Church of St Peter has a very interesting past. Long ago, it was a smaller church, sometimes called a "chapel," connected to a bigger church in Moorlinch.
Demolished and Rebuilt
In 1548, during the time of Edward VI, the church was marked for closure. A man named William Coke bought the church. He even tried to keep people out! In 1552, he actually tore the church down.
But the villagers didn't give up. After some legal battles, William Coke was made to rebuild the church. So, the church you see today was put back together after being destroyed.
What You'll Find Inside
The Church of St Peter has several important parts.
Main Areas
- The nave is the main part of the church where people sit during services.
- The chancel is the area near the altar, usually at the east end of the church.
- There's also a north chapel, which has been changed into a vestry. This is a room where the clergy (like priests) get ready for services.
Special Features
- The church has a tall west tower with two levels. It's supported by strong diagonal walls called buttresses, which help hold it up.
- One of the church bells was made way back in 1716 by a famous bell-making family called the Bilbie family.
- You can also see an octagonal (eight-sided) font from the 13th century. This is a basin used for baptisms.
Keeping the Church Safe
Because it's so old, the Church of St Peter has had some problems with its walls and roof. It was even put on the Heritage at Risk Register. This list helps identify important buildings that need repairs.
Luckily, a lot of work has been done to fix the church. Over £100,000 has been spent to make sure this historic building stays safe and strong for many more years.
How the Church is Organized
The Church of St Peter is part of a group of churches called the Polden Wheel benefice. This group is part of the larger Diocese of Bath and Wells, which helps manage many churches in the area.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of towers in Somerset
