St Thomas à Becket Church, Pensford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Thomas à Beckett Church |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Pensford |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°22′16″N 2°32′59″W / 51.371025°N 2.549796°W |
| Construction started | 14th century |
St Thomas à Becket Church is a very old building in Pensford, a village in Somerset, southwest England. It was first built way back in the 1300s! Imagine, that's over 700 years ago. While the church was used for many years, a big flood in 1968 caused a lot of damage. Because of this, the church was no longer used for services.
For a long time, the church sat empty and unused. But in 2008, someone bought it to fix it up and turn it into a private home. This amazing transformation was even shown on a BBC television show called Restoration Home.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
The church building dates back to the 14th century, which means the 1300s. It was actively used as a church by 1341. However, most of the church you see today was rebuilt much later.
Rebuilding and Design
In 1868, the church was largely rebuilt by architects Giles and Robinson. It was officially opened again in 1869. From the original 14th-century church, only the tall west tower and its special ceiling, called a tierceron vault, remain. This type of vault has many ribs that create a cool pattern.
The main entrance on the west side has a doorway with a "two-centred arch." This means the arch is made from two curves meeting at a point. This part of the church is from the 15th century. The stone basin used for baptisms, called a font, is also from around the same time. It's decorated with shapes like quatrefoils (four-leaf clover shapes) and roses.
Flood Damage and Disuse
In 1968, the River Chew flooded badly. This flood caused a lot of damage to the church. Because of the damage, the church could no longer be used for religious services. It was officially declared "redundant" (meaning no longer needed for its original purpose) on July 30, 1971.
The west tower of the church is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This group helps to protect old churches that are no longer used.
Attempts at Reuse
During the 1980s, people tried to turn the church into an arts center. But they soon realized how much repair work was needed to make the building safe. So, this plan was stopped.
In 2007, the church was put up for sale again. In 2008, it was bought by someone who wanted to fix it up and live in it. This project was a big deal because it was one of the first times a church like this was turned into a home. The story of its repair and history was featured on the TV show Restoration Home.
Special Status
St Thomas à Becket Church is a very important historical building. It is listed in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's considered a building of special interest and importance.
For a while, it was also on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register. This list includes important buildings that are in danger of decay or damage. This was because of the flood damage it suffered in 1968.
See also
- List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in South West England
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
