Church of St James the Great, Fitzhead
51°02′53″N 3°15′26″W / 51.0481°N 3.2571°W / 51.0481; -3.2571
![Church of St James the Great, Fitzhead is located in Somerset](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Somerset_UK_location_map.svg/235px-Somerset_UK_location_map.svg.png)
![Church of St James the Great, Fitzhead](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/7px-Red_pog.svg.png)
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
References
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- ^ a b c d e "Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Fitzhead Church". Fitzhead. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "St James, Fitzhead". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ Hill, Phil (11 October 2009). "Fitzhead church puts up ceramic panels". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Fitzhead Conservation Area Appraisal Document" (PDF). Taunton Deane. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Cross in Churchyard, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Cross in St James' churchyard". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Ann Brulard Chest Tomb, 5 metres South of Chancel, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Mary Byam chest tomb, about 6 metres south of chancel, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Unidentified Chest Tomb, 10 metres South of the tower, Church St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Unidentified Chest tomb, about 5 metres South of chancel, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Three Chest Tombs in a line South of the tower, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Gatepiers with gate, South-east of entrance to churchyard, Church of St James the Great". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2017.