Church of St Stephen, Winsham

The Anglican Church of St Stephen in Winsham, Somerset, England, was built in the 13th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

Church of St Stephen
LocationWinsham, Somerset, England
Coordinates50.8526°N 2.8898°W / 50.8526; -2.8898
Built13th century
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameChurch of St Stephen
Designated4 February 1958[1]
Reference no.1177765
Location of Church of St Stephen in Somerset

History

The church was built in the 13th century. from which some of the lancet windows remain,[2] and largely rebuilt in the 15th. It underwent Victorian restoration in the 19th century and a vestry added in the 1920s.[1]

Until July 2018, because of the poor condition of the roofs, particularly of the tower, the church had been placed on the Heritage at Risk Register.[3]

On 29 July 2018 the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Hancock, held a dedication service (with Eucharist) in the Church to celebrate the completion of the repair works to the Tower and roof.[4]

The church is also noted for it has a surviving copy of Foxe's Book of Martyrs on display, and renowned for having only one of two surviving pre-Reformation tympana (rood screens) of the Crucifixion anywhere in the world (the other being the church of St Catherine, Ludham, Norfolk).[5]

The parish is part of the Two Shires benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[6] The church continues to host worship services.[7]

Architecture

The stone building has slate roofs. It consists of a two-bay nave and chancel supported by buttresses. The central three-stage tower has an octagonal stair turret and gargoyles on the exterior.[1] The tower holds a peal of eight bells, the oldest of which was cast in 1583.[8]

The interior includes a Jacobean pulpit, 15th century timber screen and a reredos added in 1873 by Harry Hems. The octagonal font is from the 15th century as are the painted tympanum boards depicting the crucifixion.[1][9]

See also

References
  1. "Church of St Stephen". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  2. "WINSHAM, St. Stephen (ST 374 063)". English Church Architecture. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  3. "Church of St Stephen, Church Street, Winsham - South Somerset". Heritage at Risk. Historic England. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  4. "St Stephen's Winsham". Facebook. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  5. "The Winsham Rood Screen". Winsham Web Museum. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. "St Stephen's". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  7. "Introduction". St. Stephen's Church, Winsham. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  8. "St Stephen's Church Bells". Winsham Web Museum. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  9. Bligh Bond, Frederick. "The Tympanum of the Rood-Screen, as surviving at Winsham Church, Somerset". Winsham Web Museum. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
    - "Winsham Church of St Stephen" (PDF). Somerset Churches Trust. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
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