St Stephen's Church, Bath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Stephen's Church |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Victorian architecture |
| Town or city | Bath |
| Country | England |
| Construction started | 1840 |
| Completed | 1845, 1883, 1866 |
| Cost | 6,000 pounds |
| Client | Anglican Church |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Bath Stone Masonry |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | James Wilson |
St Stephen's Church is a beautiful Church of England church located in Bath, Somerset, England. It has been an important part of the community for many years.
Contents
The History of St Stephen's Church
Building the Church: 1840-1845
St Stephen's Church was built a long time ago, between 1840 and 1845. It was designed by an architect named James Wilson. The church was made from a special stone called Bath Stone. This stone came from a mine in the Limpley Stoke Valley, not far from Bath. Building the church cost about £6,000, which was a lot of money back then!
Changes and Additions Over Time
Even after it was built, the church wasn't officially opened for services until 1881. Over the years, new parts were added to the church.
- In 1866, a new section called an aisle was built on the northeast side. This was for the Royal School.
- Between 1882 and 1883, a very wide chancel was added. This is the part of the church where the altar is. A room for the priests (called a vestry) and a place for the organ were also built. This work cost another £3,000.
- In 1886, the ceiling in the chancel was painted with beautiful designs.
Special Features and Art
The church has some amazing artistic features:
- The Lady Chapel has a stunning stained glass window. It was made in 1983 by a local artist named Mark Angus. The window celebrates 100 years since the church became its own parish. It shows St Stephen's journey from life to his final moments.
- The church also has a special marble font from 1843. This is where baptisms take place.
- Around 1900, the ceilings in the transept (the arms of the cross-shaped church) and the reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) were designed by Sir T. G. Jackson.
Modern Updates and Community Use
The church has been updated to serve the community today:
- In 1993-1994, the crypt (an underground room) was turned into a community center. This space is now used for different activities.
- In 2007, the stone on the church tower was repaired. The church bells were also replaced with new ones.
- New floodlights were installed outside to light up the church at night.
St Stephen's Church Today
Today, St Stephen's Church is an active place of worship. It is part of an organization called Inclusive Church. This group believes that everyone should be welcome in the church. They work to make sure that all people are included, no matter their background, gender, or sexual orientation.
