Church of St Stephen, Winsham
| Church of St Stephen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Winsham, Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 50°51′09″N 2°53′23″W / 50.8526°N 2.8898°W |
| Built | 13th century |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Church of St Stephen |
| Designated | 4 February 1958[1] |
| Reference no. | 1177765 |
  Location of Church of St Stephen in Somerset | |
The Anglican Church of St Stephen in Winsham, Somerset, England, was built in the 13th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
History
[edit]The church was built in the 13th century. from which some of the lancet windows remain,[2] and largely rebuilt in the 15th. It underwent Victorian restoration in the 19th century and a vestry added in the 1920s.[1]
Until July 2018, because of the poor condition of the roofs, particularly of the tower, the church had been placed on the Heritage at Risk Register.[3]
On 29 July 2018 the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Hancock, held a dedication service (with Eucharist) in the Church to celebrate the completion of the repair works to the Tower and roof.[4]
The church is also noted for it has a surviving copy of Foxe's Book of Martyrs on display, and renowned for having only one of two surviving pre-Reformation tympana (rood screens) of the Crucifixion anywhere in the world (the other being the church of St Catherine, Ludham, Norfolk).[5]
The parish is part of the Two Shires benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[6] The church continues to host worship services.[7]
Architecture
[edit]The stone building has slate roofs. It consists of a two-bay nave and chancel supported by buttresses. The central three-stage tower has an octagonal stair turret and gargoyles on the exterior.[1] The tower holds a peal of eight bells, the oldest of which was cast in 1583.[8]
The interior includes a Jacobean pulpit, 15th century timber screen and a reredos added in 1873 by Harry Hems. The octagonal font is from the 15th century as are the painted tympanum boards depicting the crucifixion.[1][9]
See also
[edit]- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
- Winsham Parish - St Stephen's
References
[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Church of St Stephen". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "WINSHAM, St. Stephen (ST 374 063)". English Church Architecture. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Church of St Stephen, Church Street, Winsham - South Somerset". Heritage at Risk. Historic England. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "St Stephen's Winsham". Facebook. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "The Winsham Rood Screen". Winsham Web Museum. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "St Stephen's". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Introduction". St. Stephen's Church, Winsham. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "St Stephen's Church Bells". Winsham Web Museum. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ Bligh Bond, Frederick. "The Tympanum of the Rood-Screen, as surviving at Winsham Church, Somerset". Winsham Web Museum. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- "Winsham Church of St Stephen" (PDF). Somerset Churches Trust. Retrieved 20 January 2018.