Church of St Congar Badgworth Somerset. Mucker Movies

Описание: Badgworth's Church of St Congar, a Grade II listed building, has roots possibly extending to the 7th century with the arrival of St Congar, although the current structure features a medieval fabric with significant 14th, 15th, and 16th-century additions. Key historical features include a Norman font, a 1340 Decorated-style north chapel, 15th-century nave and windows, a 16th-century west tower, and a 17th-century Jacobean pulpit. The chancel was rebuilt in a Decorated style in 1864, and the church holds historical significance as a local heritage site and its unique dedication to St Congar.
Early Origins (c. 700 AD)
• St Congar: The church is dedicated to St Congar, a 7th-century missionary believed to have come from South Wales.
• Early Chapel: The first church may have been built around 700 AD, possibly the North Chapel, which is considered the oldest part of the current church.
Medieval Features
• North Chapel: This chapel features an early east window from around 1340.
• Piscina: A well-preserved piscina (a niche for washing communion vessels) also dates from the 14th century.
• Founders' Tomb: The Founders' Tomb on the north side has an inscription in Norman French.
• Chancel: The chancel was rebuilt in the Decorated style in the mid-19th century.
Later Additions and Restoration
• Nave: The main nave was likely constructed in the mid-15th century.
• West Tower: The present west tower dates from the 16th century.
• Jacobean Pulpit: The pulpit is a good example of Jacobean style, standing on an older stone base.
• Font: The font is Norman, dating from around 1150.
• Restoration (1864): The chancel was rebuilt in the Decorated style, the body of the church repaired, and the west arch was opened up.
Other Notable Features
• Massive Door: The south door of the nave is enriched with a Tudor rose design and an iron ring and knocker used for sanctuary seekers.
• Stained Glass: Some fine old oak furniture and late 19th-century stained glass by George Kempe are present.
• Sanctuary Knockers: The church has a rare feature of an iron ring on the massive door, historically used by those seeking sanctuary.
• Heritage Status: The church is a Grade II listed building and has been included on the Heritage at Risk register.
• Badgworth is in the centre of the county, 9 km inland from Burnham-on-Sea and 10 km S of Weston-super-Mare. The village consists of scattered houses on a loop of roads to the S of the A38, at the foot of Brinscombe Hill, a W extension of the Mendip Hills and the church also stands on this loop. To the SE of the village stands Badgworth Court. Badgworth looks across the valley of the river Axe to Crook Peak, about 3.5 km NNW. There is also a good view WSW to Brent Knoll. Agriculture has always been rich hereabouts, especially livestock-farming.
• The rare dedication to St Congar (proudly claimed in the church guide as unique) is to be linked with the principal Somerset site associated with the saint at Congresbury, about 7 miles NNE. The squared rubble church consists of a 14thc chancel and N chapel, nave with a S porch and a 16thc W tower. The only feature described here is the font

History
• Before the Conquest, Badgworth was held by 2 thegns as 2 manors, and paid geld for 2 hides. In 1086 it was held by Fulcwine from Walter of Douai, and consisted of 1 hide and 3 virgates with 9 acres of meadow.
• Centrally placed at the W end of the nave, quite well forward of the tower arch. The bowl is a simple cylinder, only refined on its underside, and rests on four clustered shafts which terminate in nicely moulded bases. There is no plinth, the font resting directly on the stone floor.
• The bases imitate two cones, the lower and larger being inserted into the upper and smaller. There is no necking between base and stem, the latter consisting of two very unequal blocks. The interesting underside of the bowl is recessed and divided from the curved bottom of the bowl by a delicate roll. The top of the bowl shows repairs at NNW and SSE some of which may be evidence of ripped-out lock-fittings. Metal stubs and holes may also be seen. The lead covers almost the whole of the rim except where it appears to have been torn away.