Church of All Saints, Martock
Encyclopedia
The Church of All Saints in Martock
, Somerset
, England dates from the 13th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
The church was acquired by the Treasurer of Wells Cathedral
in 1227 and he became the rector and patron of the church.
The tower dates from around 1505, in four stages, with offset corner buttress
es to the full height of the tower, to replace the previous one over the central crossing. At the same time the rest of the church was also restored and expanded. This expansion was paid for by Lady Margaret Beaufort.
In July 1645 the church was used as a billet and damaged by the troops of Oliver Cromwell
after a battle at Bridgwater
, this included the removal of the statues of saints from niches in the clerestory
.
The church was restored
by Benjamin Ferrey
, who was architect to the Diocese of Bath and Wells
from 1841 until his death, and also in 1883–84 by Ewan Christian
when a new pulpit
was installed. The interior includes a stucco plaster alter and an organ which was previously in Wells Cathedral
.
Martock
Martock is a large village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels north west of Yeovil in the South Somerset district. The parish includes Hurst, approximately one mile south of the village, and Bower Hinton, which is located at the western end of the...
, 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 13th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
The church was acquired by the Treasurer of Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
in 1227 and he became the rector and patron of the church.
The tower dates from around 1505, in four stages, with offset corner buttress
Buttress
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall...
es to the full height of the tower, to replace the previous one over the central crossing. At the same time the rest of the church was also restored and expanded. This expansion was paid for by Lady Margaret Beaufort.
In July 1645 the church was used as a billet and damaged by the troops of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
after a battle at Bridgwater
Bridgwater
Bridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...
, this included the removal of the statues of saints from niches in the clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
.
The church was 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...
by Benjamin Ferrey
Benjamin Ferrey
Benjamin Ferrey, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. was an English architect who worked mostly in the Gothic Revival.-Family:Benjamin Ferrey was the youngest son of Benjamin Ferrey Snr, a draper who became Mayor of Christchurch. He was educated at Wimborne Grammar School....
, who was architect to the Diocese of Bath and Wells
Diocese of Bath and Wells
The Diocese of Bath and Wells is a diocese in the Church of England Province of Canterbury in England.The diocese covers the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in the tiny city of...
from 1841 until his death, and also in 1883–84 by Ewan Christian
Ewan Christian
Ewan Christian was a British architect. He is most notable for the restoration of Carlisle Cathedral, the alterations to Christ Church, Spitalfields in 1866, and the extension to the National Gallery that created the National Portrait Gallery. He was architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners...
when a new 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...
was installed. The interior includes a stucco plaster alter and an organ which was previously in Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
.