Church of St Nicholas, Combe St Nicholas
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Nicholas in Combe St Nicholas
, Somerset
, England is Norman
in origin, with the chancel and lower stage of the tower dating from the 13th century. It was enlarged and aisles added in the 15th century, with further restoration in 1836. It has been designated as a grade I listed building.
There was a church on the site from the Norman Conquest and possibly earlier. The church was dedicated by the Bishop of Waterford
with Bishop Jocelin of Wells
in 1170.
The Hamstone
nave
has five bays and holds the font
which may have survived from the pre Norman
era. The 15th century aisle
s include a piscina
and another font. The carved rood screen
dates from around 1470. Beneath the chancel
are three vaults which were discovered in 1971. The tower has six bells and a clock dating from 1845. It has battlement
s, corner pinnacles and gargoyles.
The parish is part of the benefice
of Chard, St. Mary
with Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook
and Whitestaunton
within the deanery of Crewkerne
and Ilminster
.
Combe St Nicholas
Combe St Nicholas is a village and parish in Somerset, England, situated north west of Chard and from Taunton in the South Somerset district on the edge of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The parish, which includes Wadeford and Scrapton, has a population of...
, 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 is 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...
in origin, with the chancel and lower stage of the tower dating from the 13th century. It was enlarged and aisles added in the 15th century, with further restoration in 1836. It has been designated as a grade I listed building.
There was a church on the site from the Norman Conquest and possibly earlier. The church was dedicated by the Bishop of Waterford
Bishop of Waterford
The Bishop of Waterford was a medieval prelate, governing the Diocese of Waterford from its creation in the 11th century until it was absorbed into the new Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the 14th century...
with Bishop Jocelin of Wells
Jocelin of Wells
Jocelin of Wells, also known as Jocelinus Thoteman or Jocelin Troteman, was a medieval Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was the brother of Hugh de Wells, who became Bishop of Lincoln. Jocelin became a canon of Wells Cathedral before 1200, and was elected bishop in 1206...
in 1170.
The Hamstone
Hamstone
Hamstone is the colloquial name given to stone from Ham Hill, Somerset, England. Hamstone is a Jurassic limestone from the Toarcian, or Upper Lias, stage. It is a well cemented medium to coarse grained limestone characterised by its honey-gold colour and marked bedding planes. The stone contains...
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...
has five bays and holds the 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:...
which may have survived from the pre 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...
era. The 15th century aisle
Aisle
An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other...
s include a piscina
Piscina
A piscina is a shallow basin placed near the altar of a church, used for washing the communion vessels. The sacrarium is the drain itself. Anglicans usually refer to the basin, calling it a piscina. Roman Catholics usually refer to the drain, and by extension, the basin, as the sacrarium...
and another font. The carved rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
dates from around 1470. Beneath the 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...
are three vaults which were discovered in 1971. The tower has six bells and a clock dating from 1845. It has battlement
Battlement
A battlement in defensive architecture, such as that of city walls or castles, comprises a parapet , in which portions have been cut out at intervals to allow the discharge of arrows or other missiles. These cut-out portions form crenels...
s, corner pinnacles and gargoyles.
The parish is part of the 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:...
of Chard, St. Mary
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chard
The Anglican Church of St Mary the Virgin in Chard, Somerset, England dates from the late 11th century and was rebuilt in the 15th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building....
with Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook
Wambrook
Wambrook is a village and civil parish in the Blackdown Hills, , south of Chard in Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlets of Higher Wambrook and Lower Wambrook which is sometimes known as Haselcombe.-History:...
and Whitestaunton
Whitestaunton
Whitestaunton is a village and civil parish in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England.-History:The parish of Whitestaunton was part of the South Petherton Hundred....
within the deanery of Crewkerne
Crewkerne
Crewkerne is a town in Somerset, England, situated south west of Yeovil and east of Chard in the South Somerset district close to the border with Dorset. The civil parish of West Crewkerne includes the hamlets of Woolminstone and Henley...
and Ilminster
Ilminster
Ilminster is a country town and civil parish in the countryside of south west Somerset, England, with a population of 4,781. Bypassed a few years ago, the town now lies just east of the intersection of the A303 and the A358...
.