Church of Saint Mary, Kilve explained

Church of Saint Mary
Coordinates:51.188°N -3.2224°W
Location:Kilve, Somerset, England
Built:14th century
Designation1:Grade II* listed building
Designation1 Offname:Church of Saint Mary
Designation1 Date:22 May 1969
Designation1 Number:1345709

The Anglican Church of St Mary in Kilve, Somerset, England was built in the 14th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.

History

The first church on the site was most likely built around the 12th century if not sooner.[1]

Parts of the 14th century church remain with additions in the 15th century and the tower is said to have been built sometime around 1636. The vestry was added in some time around 1876 and the whole church restored in 1913. Another extensive renovation was completed in 2006.

The church is noted for having a choir from Kilve Chantry until around the 15th century.[2]

The parish of Kilve with Kilton and Lilstock is part of the Quantock Coast Benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[3]

Architecture

The blue lias stone building has a slate roof. It consists of a two-bay nave, chancel and vestry with a south porch. The two-stage west tower is supported by diagonal buttresses.[1] There are two bells, the oldest of which was cast around 1500. The bells were housed in a separate thatched building until the construction of the tower.[2] [4]

The interior a 12th century font and a royal coat of arms from 1660. The chancel has a plastered barrel vault ceiling from the 15th century.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: An archaeological Watching Brief at St Mary's Church, Kilve. Hollinrake Archaeology Co-operative. 3 September 2017.
  2. Web site: St Mary's History. Kilve Village. 3 September 2017.
  3. Web site: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Kilve. A Church Near You. Church of England. 3 September 2017.
  4. A P Baggs, R J E Bush and M C Siraut, 'Parishes: Kilve', in A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 5, ed. R W Dunning (London, 1985), pp. 96-103. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol5/pp96-103 [accessed 3 September 2017].