Church of St James the Great, Fitzhead explained

Church of St James the Great
Coordinates:51.0481°N -3.2571°W
Location:Fitzhead, Somerset, England
Built:15th century
Designation1:Grade II* listed building
Designation1 Offname:Church of St James the Great
Designation1 Date:25 January 1956
Designation1 Number:1175726

The Anglican Church of St James the Great in Fitzhead, Somerset, England was built in the 15th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

History

The church was built in the 15th century from which the tower survives. The three-bay nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1849 and a vestry added in 1863. The north aisle was added in 1887.[1] Next to the church is a medieval tithe barn.[2]

The parish is part of the Milverton with Halse, Fitzhead and Ash Priors benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[3]

Architecture

The red sandstone building has hamstone dressings. The three stage tower is supported by diagonal buttresses.[1]

Inside the church is a 15th-century rood screen.[1] In 2009 ceramic panels by local potter John Watt, depicting local scenes, were installed in the church.[4]

In the churchyard is a 14th-century grey sandstone cross which was restored in 1908.[5] [6] As well as being a listed building it has been scheduled as an ancient monument.[7]

Several of the tombs in the churchyard are also listed, including the late 17th century chest tombs of Ann Brulard,[8] and Mary Byam.[9] There are also unidentified tombs from the 17th and 18th centuries,[10] [11] [12]

The gates and gatepiers were installed in the early 19th century.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Fitzhead Church. Fitzhead. 25 June 2017.
  3. Web site: St James, Fitzhead. A Church Near You. Church of England. 25 June 2017.
  4. News: Hill. Phil. Fitzhead church puts up ceramic panels. 25 June 2017. Somerset County Gazette. 11 October 2009.
  5. Web site: Fitzhead Conservation Area Appraisal Document. Taunton Deane. 25 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814140152/https://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/media/1109/fitzhead-conservation-area.pdf. 14 August 2017. dead.
  6. Web site: Cross in Churchyard, Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  7. Web site: Cross in St James' churchyard. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  8. Web site: Ann Brulard Chest Tomb, 5 metres South of Chancel, Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  9. Web site: Mary Byam chest tomb, about 6 metres south of chancel, Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  10. Web site: Unidentified Chest Tomb, 10 metres South of the tower, Church St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  11. Web site: Unidentified Chest tomb, about 5 metres South of chancel, Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  12. Web site: Three Chest Tombs in a line South of the tower, Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.
  13. Web site: Gatepiers with gate, South-east of entrance to churchyard, Church of St James the Great. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 25 June 2017.

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