Church of St John the Baptist, Axbridge
Encyclopedia
The Church of St John the Baptist in Axbridge
, Somerset
, England was built in the 13th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.
Work on the current building began in the early 15th century, and grew from an earlier building dating back to about 1230. The church is built of limestone and decorated with Doulting stone, while the steps are an interesting example of Dolomitic Conglomerate (pudding stone).
The crossing tower, which was built around 1400, is over 100 feet (30.5 m) high, and holds six bells, one of which dating from 1723 was made by Edward Bilbie of the Bilbie family
. The statue on the east side is that of St John the Baptist. On the west side is a king - perhaps Henry VII
, which would place it after 1485. The North aisle ceiling retains some mediaeval painted panels, and amongst the carved bosses is the head of a Green Man
, with leaves sprouting around his face. The nave roof is Jacobean and dates from 1636.
Axbridge
Axbridge is a town in Somerset, England, situated in the Sedgemoor district on the River Axe, near the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. The town population according to the 2001 census was 2,024.-History:...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England was built in the 13th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.
Work on the current building began in the early 15th century, and grew from an earlier building dating back to about 1230. The church is built of limestone and decorated with Doulting stone, while the steps are an interesting example of Dolomitic Conglomerate (pudding stone).
The crossing tower, which was built around 1400, is over 100 feet (30.5 m) high, and holds six bells, one of which dating from 1723 was made by Edward Bilbie of the Bilbie family
Bilbie family
The Bilbie family were bell founders and clockmakers based initially in Chew Stoke, Somerset and later at Cullompton, Devon in south-west England from the late 17th century to the early 19th century....
. The statue on the east side is that of St John the Baptist. On the west side is a king - perhaps Henry VII
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
, which would place it after 1485. The North aisle ceiling retains some mediaeval painted panels, and amongst the carved bosses is the head of a Green Man
Green Man
A Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Branches or vines may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit...
, with leaves sprouting around his face. The nave roof is Jacobean and dates from 1636.