The Anglican Church of St Peter and St Paul in Wincanton within the English county of Somerset is a Grade II* listed building.[1] The Church of St Peter and St Paul was almost totally rebuilt 1887-91 by J. D. Sedding, however parts of the tower may be remnants form an earlier church, dating from 1313, on the same site.[2]

History

Little of the original church remains but it is known that in 1748 Nathaniel Ireson, a local architect built and paid for a new chancel, which has been removed in subsequent renovations, and carved several of the memorial tablets.[3] In 1793 the tower was raised by 12 feet (4 m) making it 50 feet (15 m) high, five bells were cast and a sixth added.

Because of the state of the roofs, which are under repair, the church is included on the Heritage at Risk Register.[4]

Architecture

The stone building has almost flat lead roofs behind parapets. It consists of a nave, chancel, north aisle and a double width south aisle, organ chamber, lady chapel, and north porch. The porch which was built in 1891 has a Calvary scene above the arch. The three-stage tower is supported by diagonal offset buttresses and a corner stair turret. The east window has stained glass by Clayton and Bell which was installed in 1889.[1]

Churchyard

The churchyard includes a self designed and carved monument to Nathaniel Ireson who died in 1769.[3][5] The statue in 18th century costume faces south west and stands on a square plinth inscribed to Nathanial Ireson and his family.[6] The pedestal has been replaced since the original statue was erected.[3] Another memorial, erected early in the 19th century is to Elliot Grasset Thomas and his family. Only the plinth with his coat of arms survives from the original structure.[7]

The stone walls and gateways around the churchyard were built in 1818. The north east gateway is the largest of several entrances to the site.[8]

See also

References

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