Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Shapwick
| Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Shapwick, Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°08′26″N 2°50′01″W / 51.1405°N 2.8337°W |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Designated | 29 March 1963[1] |
| Reference no. | 1058962 |
  Location of Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Somerset | |
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Shapwick within the English county of Somerset was consecrated in 1331. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1][2]
History[edit]
The building was constructed in the early 14th century and consecrated in 1331. It replaced an earlier building which existed in 1168 but may go back to a charter of 971. The new building had the same dimensions as the previous church.[3] The church was under the patronage of Glastonbury Abbey.[4]
Its central two-stage tower is a style that was at least a century out of date when it was built in the 15th century as part of wider alterations to the church.[1] Further restoration was undertaken in 1861 by George Gilbert Scott.[1]
The parish is part of the Polden Wheel benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[5]
Architecture[edit]
The church consists of a nave with a vestry, chancel and south porch.[1] The tower has six bells.[4]
Parts of the current building including the piscina and font were moved from an earlier church in fields outside the village.[6]
The church contains memorials to the Bull family, including Henry Bull, who were Lord of the Manor and lived at Shapwick Manor.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Historic England. "Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1058962)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St. Mary (1058962)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ "History of Shapwick". Shapwick Village. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ a b 'Shapwick', in A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 8, the Poldens and the Levels, ed. Robert Dunning (London, 2004), pp. 160-179. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol8/pp160-179 [accessed 30 April 2017].
- ^ "The Blessed Virgin Mary, Shapwick". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ Dunning, Robert (2007). Somerset Churches and Chapels: Building Repair and Restoration. Halsgrove. pp. 35–38. ISBN 978-1841145921.