St Peter and St Paul Church, Maperton
St Peter and St Paul Church, Maperton
The earliest record of a church at Maperton comes from around the year AD 940. Nothing remains of that Saxon building, or of the Norman church which replaced it, save for the font, which may date to the 12th century. The first recorded rector was a man named simply as 'Martin' who served in the early 13th century.
In the mid-18th century Maperton gained a reputation as a centre for clandestine marriages - something of a Somerset version of Gretna Green. The rector, one Charles Mitchell (1715-1766) was known for conducting marriage ceremonies for people from well outside Maperton parish; 24 of these in 1749 alone.
The church in winter
The church in winter
In 1849 a devastating fire damaged the church and completely destroyed the roof. It was thatched over in 1850 and re-roofed the following year in slate and tile, but these repairs were simply postponing the inevitable. By 1869 the church was dilapidated, and was pulled down, apart from the 15th century west tower, which was salvaged and incorporated into a new building. This new church was designed by Henry Hall, but his efforts were not universally appreciated.
The Victoria County History reports that the heating didn't work, the sanctuary was too small, and no one liked the new furnishings. Perhaps the parishioners felt better about the church in 1921, when a royal coat of arms to George II was found in a local stable loft and restored to the church.
The arms were presented in 1738, presumably to commemorate the death of Queen Caroline the previous year. Also in 1921 the Norman font, which had been removed to the churchyard in the Victorian rebuilding, was brought back inside the church. The Victorian font was given to the church in Ringwood, Hampshire.
Oak panelling was added in 1928; the panels made from 17th century pews removed from Sherborne Abbey, Dorset. Also from Sherborne Abbey is a 17th century Spanish crucifix, and there are several 18th century memorial tablets in the tower.

The pride of St Peter and St Paul's is the east window, with glass by Henry Holiday, who also designed 4 other windows for the church. The church guide calls Holiday's work one of the best windows in Somerset.

A final mention must be made of some fragments of carving built into the south porch wall. These fragments may possibly be of Saxon origin, a reminder that though much of Maperton church is Victorian, it stands on a site used for worship for over 1000 years.

All images are (c) Olivia Scott, LRPS

Looking up the nave
Looking up the nave
The Chancel
The Chancel
The churchyard
The churchyard

More Photos

About Maperton
Address: Maperton, Somerset, England, BA9 8EJ
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: Open 9.30 am until 6 pm in sumer and daylight hours in winter.
Website: Maperton
Location map
OS: ST672261
Photo Credit: Olivia Scott, LRPS


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

South Cadbury Castle - 2.7 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Haynes Motor Museum - 3.7 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Gants Mill and Garden - 5.1 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Bruton Dovecote - 5.2 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Oborne, St Cuthbert's Church - 5.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Sherborne Old Castle - 6.1 miles (Castle) Heritage Rating

Sherborne Abbey Church - 6.3 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Sherborne Castle - 6.3 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating



Nearest Accommodation to Maperton:

Self Catering   -   B&Bs/Guesthouses   -   Hotels


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Poppy Lodge, Charlton Horethorne
Poppy Lodge, Charlton Horethorne - 1.9 miles
Charlton Horethorne, Somerset
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £278.00 - 769.00
Lavender Lodge, Charlton Horethorne
Lavender Lodge, Charlton Horethorne - 1.9 miles
Charlton Horethorne, Dorset
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £248.00 - 605.00
The Thatch, Yarlington
The Thatch, Yarlington - 2 miles
Yarlington, Somerset
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £244.00 - 502.00

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Nearest Hotels

Holbrook House Hotel and Spa Wincanton
Holbrook House Hotel and Spa - 1.8 miles
Wincanton, Somerset
Stay from: £95.00
Dolphin Hotel Wincanton
Dolphin Hotel - 3.1 miles
Wincanton, Somerset
Stay from: £36.00
The George Hotel Castle Cary
The George Hotel - 4.3 miles
Castle Cary, Somerset
Stay from: £80.00

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Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

The Kings Arms Charlton Horethorne
The Kings Arms - 1.7 miles
Charlton Horethorne, Somerset
From: £135.00
Toomer Farm Templecombe
Toomer Farm - 4.9 miles
Templecombe, Somerset
From: £85.00
Turks Hall Bruton
Turks Hall - 5.3 miles
Bruton, Somerset
From: £80.00

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Nearest Tourist Information Centre ('as the crow flies')

Wincanton
Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall
Market Place
Wincanton
Somerset
England
BA9 9LD
Tel: 01963 31693
Email: wintic@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.visitsomerset.co.uk
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