Church of St Vigor, Stratton-on-the-Fosse
Encyclopedia
The Anglican Church of St Vigor in Stratton-on-the-Fosse
, Somerset
, England dates from the 12th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building. Saint Vigor
was a French
bishop and Christian
missionary. After the Norman conquest of England
, his cult moved from France to England. This church is one of only two English churches dedicated to him, the other being at Fulbourn
in Cambridgeshire.
The original Norman
church was founded by Geoffrey de Montbray
the Bishop of Coutances after he became the lord of the manor following the Norman Conquest. Only the doorway on the south side of the church, the chancel arch and font
remain from this period. The pulpit
dates from the 14th century along with the chancel.
The stained glass
windows contain fragments dating from medieval times, which were incorporated into the more recent windows after damage which may have occurred during the English Civil War
.
The Long chapel, named after the benefactors, the Long family, was built in 1782.
St. Vigor's Church forms a joint benefice with St. John's in nearby Chilcompton
, and falls within the archdeadery of Bath.
Stratton-on-the-Fosse
Stratton-on-the-Fosse is a village and civil parish located on the edge of the Mendip Hills, south-west of Westfield, north-east of Shepton Mallet, and from Frome, in Somerset, England. It has a population 1,045, and has a rural agricultural landscape, although it was part of the once-thriving...
, Somerset
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 dates from the 12th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building. Saint Vigor
Saint Vigor
Saint Vigor was a French bishop and Christian missionary. Born in Artois, he studied at Arras under Saint Vedast. Against the opposition of his father, he became a priest, running away from home to become one. He became a preaching hermit at Ravière and worked as a missionary...
was a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
bishop and Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
missionary. After the Norman conquest of England
Norman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
, his cult moved from France to England. This church is one of only two English churches dedicated to him, the other being at Fulbourn
Fulbourn
Fulbourn is a village in Cambridgeshire, England. The term for a resident of the village is "Fulbourner".- Geography :Fulbourn lies about five miles south-east of the centre of Cambridge, separated from the outer city boundary by farmland and the grounds of Fulbourn Hospital. The village itself is...
in Cambridgeshire.
The original Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
church was founded by Geoffrey de Montbray
Geoffrey de Montbray
Geoffrey de Montbray , bishop of Coutances , a right-hand man of William the Conqueror, was a type of the great feudal prelate, warrior and administrator at need....
the Bishop of Coutances after he became the lord of the manor following the Norman Conquest. Only the doorway on the south side of the church, the chancel arch and font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
remain from this period. The pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
dates from the 14th century along with the chancel.
The stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows contain fragments dating from medieval times, which were incorporated into the more recent windows after damage which may have occurred during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
.
The Long chapel, named after the benefactors, the Long family, was built in 1782.
St. Vigor's Church forms a joint benefice with St. John's in nearby Chilcompton
Chilcompton
Chilcompton is a civil parish and village in Somerset, England, situated in the Mendip Hills two miles south of Midsomer Norton and 2.5 miles south-west of Westfield, close to the A37 .-History:...
, and falls within the archdeadery of Bath.