St Mary's, Shapwick
St Mary's, Shapwick

Shapwick is an attractive village in the Polden Hills, west of Glastonbury. The Grade II* listed parish church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, dates to the early part of the 14th century.

History

There has been a church in Shapwick at least as early as the 8th century, for a charter of King Ine of Wessex, dated to AD 725, places Shapwick and seven other local churches under the control of the Abbot of Glastonbury. That 8th-century church was dedicated to St Andrew and stood near Beerway Farm, half a mile east of the present building.

The Abbey's almoner lived in Shapwick and held the patronage of the church. The patronage descended in time to William Bull, a descendent of Henry VIII's chaplain, Dr John Bull.

In 1329 the Abbot of Glastonbury applied for permission to build a new church because the Saxon building was too far from the village it was meant to serve. The new church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and was consecrated in 1331.

Jane Bull memorial, 1657
Jane Bull memorial, 1657

The church layout is slightly unusual in that the tower is not at the western end of the nave but in the centre, between the chancel and the nave. The nave has a restored 15th-century wagon roof and a pair of 14th-century piscinae.

The church narrowly escaped destruction during the Napoleonic Wars, when the Polden militia stored ammunition in the tower. One cold night the bell ringers lit a fire to provide some warmth, but the flames spread to the belfry, where the ammunition was stored. Some of the bell ringers ran away, but one braved the flames and carried a bucket of water up the stairs to the belfry and put out the fire before it reached the ammunition store.

The church was heavily restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1861. Scott renewed the church windows, replaced the pews, choir stalls, lectern, and altar rails, and added the decorative oil lamps.

Henry Bull memorial, 1692
Henry Bull memorial, 1692

A quick study of the roll of vicars for Shapwick reveals the terrible toll of the Black Death, which struck the area in 1349. According to the parish records, Shapwick had six vicars between 1348 and 1353. Though the records do not state the cause of death, it seems likely that at least four and possibly five of the Shapwick vicars died of the plague over the course of five years.

Historical Highlights

In the chancel is a superb monument erected by William Bull in memory of his wife, Jane, who died in 1657.

The monument reads in part, 'This monument was erected by William Bull of Shapwick, Esq., in memory of his most dear and truly virtuous wife Jane, eldest daughter and co-heir of Henry Southworth of Wells, Esq., who (having been married to the said William 36 years and 3 months) died the 30th day of March 1657 and lyeth here under interred with four sons and two daughters.'

Coat of arms, Henry Bull memorial
Coat of arms, Henry Bull memorial

Arguably the finest monument is to Henry Bull (1630-1692). Henry Bull was the eldest son of William and Jane, and had a long career as a lawyer and an MP. He served as High Sheriff of Somerset in 1683-4 and as a member of Parliament for Wells, Bridgwater, and the 'Rotten Borough' of Milborne Port.

There are five more 18th-century monuments, the finest of which is to Thomas Strangways (d. 1766). Most of the stained glass dates to the middle of the 19th century.

Getting There

St Mary's Church stands in the centre of Shapwick village. There is no dedicated car park, but we found it easy to find a parking space along the road.

About Shapwick, St Mary
Address: Church Road, Shapwick, Somerset, England, TA7 9NE
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: At the junction of Main Road and Church Road in the centre of Shapwick village. Parking along the road.
Website: Shapwick, St Mary
Location map
OS: ST417382
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express


HERITAGE

HeritageWe've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.

Find other attractions tagged with:

14th century (Time Period) - 8th century (Time Period) - Gilbert Scott (Person) -


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

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

Sutton Mallet Church - 2.9 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Meare Fish House - 3.4 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Stembridge Windmill - 4.7 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Glastonbury Abbey - 5.1 miles (Abbey) Heritage Rating

Glastonbury Tribunal - 5.1 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Chalice Well and Gardens - 5.5 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating

Westonzoyland Pumping Station - 5.7 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Glastonbury Tor - 5.8 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating



Nearest Holiday Cottages to Shapwick, St Mary:


  More self catering near Shapwick, St Mary

Show self catering cottages near Shapwick, St Mary