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| Church
& its architecture
St Martin’s, parts of which date from the 13th
century, is typical of a Somerset church of the
Perpendicular period, the tower dating from about 1502,
and later additions, including the south aisle extension,
being added in the 19th
century. There
was a gallery at the back of the Nave and box pews which
were unfortunately removed during this Victorian
restoration. The
font is Norman, dating from the second half of the 12th
century.
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Interior
of the church in the 1950s. The inscription over the
archway is no longer visible. |
Interior
view of chancel & sanctuary of the church in the
2000s |
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Memorials
inside the church include one to Jane Seymour
| "A
palimpsest brass depicting Jane Seymour d. 1565,
daughter of John Walsh of Cathanger, who married Sir
Edward Seymour, eldest son of the attainted Duke of
Somerset, Lord Protector of England, executed in
1552."
These
pieces were discovered apparently in a village pond and
were presented to the church in 1907.
The palimpsest, being copies of the original,
were made by the Victoria & Albert Museum.
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Wall
Tablets - There are a number of interesting
Wall Tablets including the following to:
Rev.
Reginald Victor Whitwill, vicar of the parish 1942-1956
Ann
& Edwin Tilley, d.1841 & 1847 & their
parents
Mary
Ann Tilley, d. in Krongart, S. Australia 1836
Revd.
Ames Hellicar, d. 1839
Thomas
Norman, d. 1817, William Norman d. 1822, Susanna Norman d. 1827
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Font |
Ancient
Weathercock |
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Floor
Slabs
- A rectangular floor slab in memory of members of the
Elyott family is to be found to the west end of the Nave
of the church.
The
slab is engraved:
Here
lyeth the body of Edmund Elyott Esqr
son
of Thomas Elyott, who was Gentleman of the Bed Chamber
to
King
Charles IId and he himself was Page
to
James Duke of York and ƒoon after that
Prince's
accefsion to the Crown made Cap
tain
of a Man of Warr. He dyed June the 13th 1725, Aged 63.
Here also the body of Mrs Beata Elyott,
Widow
of the Above mentioned Edmund
Elyott
Esqr and Daughter of Sir Charles Wyndham, Knight of the
Antient (sic) Family of
the
Wyndham's of Orchard-wyndham, in the County of Sumerset,
She was no lefs conspicuous for her Benevolence and
Charity,
than for her Antient Descent Obt May the 19th 1749 Aged
62.
Here
lyes the body of Carolina
Wyndham
Daughter of Sr. Edmond
Wyndham
of Kentsford in the Coun-
ty
of Somerfett who dyed the 4th June 1721 In the 87th year
of her Age
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| Also in the church
is a plain stone with an inscription round the border
in Roman capitals.
It reads:
HERE LYETH THE
BODIES
OF HUGH PYNE OF CATHANGER
ESQVIER COVNSELLER AT LAW AND
(MAY)BELLA HIS WIFE AND
WERE BURIED IN THE YEARES OF OUR LORD GOD 1618 AND
1628
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Bells
- St
Martin’s
has six bells, three of which, 2, 4 and 6, are listed by
the Council for the Care of Churches as worthy of
preservation in the Diocesan Schedule of Bells for
Preservation and the PCC has special responsibility for
their preservation. The bells are as follows:
| Bell |
Diameter |
Weight |
Note |
Date |
Founder |
| Tenor |
42
1/8" |
12
¾ cwt |
F# |
1773 |
Thomas
Bailey Bridgwater |
| Fifth |
38
3/8" |
9
cwt |
G# |
1909 |
Llewellins
& James Bristol |
| Fourth |
35" |
7
½ cwt |
A# |
1765 |
Thomas
Bailey Bridgwater |
| Third |
32" |
6
¼ cwt |
B |
1909 |
Llewellins
& James Bristol |
| Second |
29
3/8" |
5
cwt |
C# |
c1500 |
R.T.,
Bristol |
| Treble |
29
½" |
5
½ cwt |
D# |
1909 |
Llewellins
& James Bristol |
Restoration of the
Bells
A recent inspection of the bells indicated the
need for significant restoration work, the last major
work having been carried out in 1909/10. Following a successful appeal for funds the necessary refurbishment was carried out and this should ensure they remain in good working order for the next
100 years.
We
have to thank all who have contributed, particularly
the late Maurice Daly who was responsible for raising a
considerable amount over the years expressly for this
purpose and also an anonymous donor who
contributed generously for the restoration of the 2
heaviest bells. We also have to thank the
Lambert Hut Trust, the Bath and Wells Association of
Change Ringers and the Pilgrim Trust (based in London
) which contributed at least £1000.
Although
fundraising for the restoration of the bells is
complete, fund raising continues to provide for two
new bell ropes, so any contributions, however small,
will be most appreciated. Please contact Meg
Tyler if you wish to contribute
For
further information please contact the Churchwarden, Ellen
Balmer.
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| Bellringers
- Ringing practice is on
Tuesday evenings and we
have some young enthusiasts from the village learning to
ring. We are also joined by members of Fivehead Baptist
Church.
We
are members of the Bath & Wells Association of
Change Ringers (Crewkerne Branch) and welcome visiting
ringers from other churches in the country who come
occasionally by prior arrangement for short sessions
here and in other surrounding churches.
If
you are interested in knowing more about bell ringing,
please contact Meg Tyler at the church on Monday
evenings.
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