Church of St James the Great, Fitzhead

The Anglican Church of St James the Great in Fitzhead, Somerset, England was built in the 15th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

Church of St James the Great
LocationFitzhead, Somerset, England
Coordinates51.0481°N 3.2571°W / 51.0481; -3.2571
Built15th century
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameChurch of St James the Great
Designated25 January 1956[1]
Reference no.1175726
Location of Church of St James the Great in Somerset

History

The church was built in the 15th century from which the tower survives. The three-bay nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1849 and a vestry added in 1863. The north aisle was added in 1887.[1] Next to the church is a medieval tithe barn.[2]

The parish is part of the Milverton with Halse, Fitzhead and Ash Priors benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[3]

Architecture

The red sandstone building has hamstone dressings. The three stage tower is supported by diagonal buttresses.[1]

Inside the church is a 15th-century rood screen.[1] In 2009 ceramic panels by local potter John Watt, depicting local scenes, were installed in the church.[4]

In the churchyard is a 14th-century grey sandstone cross which was restored in 1908.[5][6] As well as being a listed building it has been scheduled as an ancient monument.[7]

Several of the tombs in the churchyard are also listed, including the late 17th century chest tombs of Ann Brulard,[8] and Mary Byam.[9] There are also unidentified tombs from the 17th and 18th centuries,[10][11][12]

The gates and gatepiers were installed in the early 19th century.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  2. "Fitzhead Church". Fitzhead. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  3. "St James, Fitzhead". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  4. Hill, Phil (11 October 2009). "Fitzhead church puts up ceramic panels". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  5. "Fitzhead Conservation Area Appraisal Document" (PDF). Taunton Deane. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  6. "Cross in Churchyard, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  7. "Cross in St James' churchyard". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  8. "Ann Brulard Chest Tomb, 5 metres South of Chancel, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  9. "Mary Byam chest tomb, about 6 metres south of chancel, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  10. "Unidentified Chest Tomb, 10 metres South of the tower, Church St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  11. "Unidentified Chest tomb, about 5 metres South of chancel, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  12. "Three Chest Tombs in a line South of the tower, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  13. "Gatepiers with gate, South-east of entrance to churchyard, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
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