St George's Church, Wembdon

The Anglican St George's Church was founded in the 13th century in the village of Wembdon within the English county of Somerset. The current building dates from the 14th and 15th century but was largely rebuilt in 1868 after a fire. It is a Grade II listed building.[1]

St George's Church
LocationWembdon, Somerset, England
Coordinates51°08′11″N 3°01′02″W
Built14th and 15th century
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameChurch of St George
Designated29 March 1963[1]
Reference no.1237571
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameChurchyard Cross, in Churchyard 8 metres south of South Aisle, Church of St George
Designated29 March 1963[2]
Reference no.1059052
Official nameChurchyard cross in St George's churchyard
Designated[3]
Reference no.1015454
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameStocks, in churchyard 8 metres South of vestry, Church of St George
Designated24 June 1985[4]
Reference no.1237586
Location of St George's Church in Somerset

History

The church was granted by William Testard, lord of Wembdon Manor, to St John's Hospital, Bridgwater in 1284.[5] The current red sandstone building was built in the 14th and 15th century in a perpendicular style with a west tower.[1]

In the churchyard is a 15th-century churchyard cross on an octagonal base.[6] The shaft is approximately 1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in) high; however the head of the cross is missing. It is a Grade II listed building and ancient monument.[2][3] There is also a set of stocks which were probably installed in the 17th century. They were moved to their current site and restored in 1916.[4]

The church was badly damaged by fire in March 1868, and as the certificate for fire insurance had expired, had to be rebuilt with significant local aid.[7] The tower survived from the original building, however the rest of the structure was rebuilt to designs by J.M. Hay,[1] which included the extension of the nave.[5]

Present day

The benefice of Wembdon is within the Sedgemoor deanery which is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[8]

St George's Church stands in the conservative evangelical tradition of the Church of England. It has passed resolutions to reject the ordination of women.[9]

See also

References
  1. Historic England. "Church of St George (1237571)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. Historic England. "Churchyard Cross, in Churchyard 8 metres south of South Aisle, Church of St George (1059052)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  3. Historic England. "Churchyard cross in St George's churchyard (1015454)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  4. Historic England. "Stocks, in churchyard 8 metres South of vestry, Church of St George (1237586)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  5. Baggs, A.P.; Siraut, m.C. "Wembdon: Church". British History Online. Victoria County History. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  6. "St. George's Parish Church". Bridgwater Heritage. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  7. Sly, Nicola (2010). A grim almanac of Somerset. Stroud: History Press. p. 39. ISBN 9780752458144.
  8. "St George's Church, Wembdon". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  9. "Bishop of Maidstone's Newsletter Easter 2018" (pdf). bishopofmaidstone.org. March 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
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