Church of St Peter, West Huntspill
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Peter in West Huntspill, Somerset
, England was established by 1208, rebuilt around 1400, and extended in the early to mid 15th century. It was gutted by fire in 1878 and restored
over the next two years. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
Before the Norman Conquest the Christian community at West Huntspill was given by Offa of Mercia
to Glastonbury Abbey
. In the 13th century it was given to Tickford Priory
at Newport Pagnell
until it was taken under the control of the Bishop of Wells. Since the 18th century the patronage has been held by Balliol College, Oxford. The church's original dedication was to All Saints which changed to St Peter around 1872 and then in the 1950s the dedication to St Peter and All Hallows was adopted.
The church has a five bay nave
and chancel
and four stage west tower. The tower holds six beels which date from 1879 when they replaced the previous five the oldest of which was cast in 1693.
The church underwent extensive Victorian restoration
between 1878 and 1880, following a major fire, which gutted the interior and roof leaving only the stonework still standing.
Refurbishment work to glass the lady chapel and the north door during 2011 was delayed when the company carrying out the work went into receivership.
The parish is part of the Huntspill and East Huntspill benefice
within the Axbridge
deanery.
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 established by 1208, rebuilt around 1400, and extended in the early to mid 15th century. It was gutted by fire in 1878 and restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
over the next two years. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
Before the Norman Conquest the Christian community at West Huntspill was given by Offa of Mercia
Offa of Mercia
Offa was the King of Mercia from 757 until his death in July 796. The son of Thingfrith and a descendant of Eowa, Offa came to the throne after a period of civil war following the assassination of Æthelbald after defeating the other claimant Beornred. In the early years of Offa's reign it is likely...
to Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction....
. In the 13th century it was given to Tickford Priory
Tickford Priory
Tickford Priory was a medieval monastic house in Buckinghamshire, England. It was established in 1140 by Fulconius paganel who was lord of the Manor of Newport Pagnell at the time, also giving his name to the town...
at Newport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell is a town in the Borough of Milton Keynes , England. It is separated by the M1 motorway from Milton Keynes itself, though part of the same urban area...
until it was taken under the control of the Bishop of Wells. Since the 18th century the patronage has been held by Balliol College, Oxford. The church's original dedication was to All Saints which changed to St Peter around 1872 and then in the 1950s the dedication to St Peter and All Hallows was adopted.
The church has a five bay nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
and four stage west tower. The tower holds six beels which date from 1879 when they replaced the previous five the oldest of which was cast in 1693.
The church underwent extensive Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
between 1878 and 1880, following a major fire, which gutted the interior and roof leaving only the stonework still standing.
Refurbishment work to glass the lady chapel and the north door during 2011 was delayed when the company carrying out the work went into receivership.
The parish is part of the Huntspill and East Huntspill benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
within the Axbridge
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:...
deanery.