Church of St Mary, North Petherton
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Mary in North Petherton
, Somerset
, England dates from the 15th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.
There was a church in North Petherton before the Norman Conquest and the site belonged to Buckland Priory
from the 12th century. The current building dates from the expansion of the town around 1490, although it does contain some fabric from the 13th century.
The minster
church has a highly decorated tower which, at 120 feet (37 m) high, was described by Nickolaus Pevsner as one of the finest towers in the county. The tower was built around 1508. It contains a peal of six bells
, and a clock built in Bridgwater
in 1807.
The interior has a minstrel
gallery from 1623, a carved wooden pulpit from the 15th century, and a brass chandelier which was added in 1984.
The parish is part of the Alfred Jewel benefice
within the Sedgemoor deanery.
North Petherton
North Petherton is a small town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the edge of the eastern foothills of the Quantocks, and close to the edge of the Somerset Levels.The town has a population of 5,189...
, 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 15th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.
There was a church in North Petherton before the Norman Conquest and the site belonged to Buckland Priory
Buckland Priory
Buckland Priory was established around 1167 in Lower Durston, Somerset, England....
from the 12th century. The current building dates from the expansion of the town around 1490, although it does contain some fabric from the 13th century.
The minster
Minster (cathedral)
Minster is an honorific title given to particular churches in England, most famously York Minster. The term minster is first found in royal foundation charters of the 7th century; and, although it corresponds to the Latin monasterium or monastery, it then designated any settlement of clergy living...
church has a highly decorated tower which, at 120 feet (37 m) high, was described by Nickolaus Pevsner as one of the finest towers in the county. The tower was built around 1508. It contains a peal of six bells
Change ringing
Change ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes". It differs from many other forms of campanology in that no attempt is made to produce a conventional melody....
, and a clock built in 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...
in 1807.
The interior has a minstrel
Minstrel
A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. Although minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty...
gallery from 1623, a carved wooden pulpit from the 15th century, and a brass chandelier which was added in 1984.
The parish is part of the Alfred Jewel 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 Sedgemoor deanery.