Building History

The foundation stone of the church was laid on 29 October 1856 by the Foundress, Miss Mary Ann Ruscombe Poole, who later married into the well known Luttrell family of Dunster. The architect was Mr John Palmer of Weston-super-Mare and the work carried out J.Norton. Completion came in 1858 and consecration on 20 June 1859. The South Aisle was added in 1882 by F.Bligh Bond thus completing its original plan.

The foundations were carried down to a considerable depth as the area borders the wetlands of the Somerset Levels. The fabric rests on a layer of soft blue clay under which is a deep layer of peat. Originally a tall spire surmounted the north-west tower. However, this was removed in 1911, together with two courses of the tower, after a dry summer saw a considerable amount of settlement causing the arcade to tip outwards.Four of the five orginal bells were also removed. Various other works became necessary to secure the whole building. This included some timber shoring that lasted until 1938, while the clay roof tiles were replaced with asbestos ones to reduce the weight of the roof.

The internal layout of the church was first re-ordered twice in 1955. The altar table was moved to the west end of the sanctuary and a Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament at the east end with a wrought iron screen division.

Every five years every Anglican church must undergo an architect's inspection. In 1987 this revealed serious structural damage . This led to a further reordering in which the high altar was brought further forward to its present position beneath the Chancel Arch within the Nave together with a sanctuary large enough to be used for concerts and other purposes. Decorative works and floor works accompanied the re-orderings. New bells were cast and added to make a ring of eight and dedicated in 1989.

A wooden church hall dating from the 1950’s stands at behind the west end of the church.

The churchyard is not currently a burial ground and is laid to grass with a number of colourful flower beds and tarmac paths.

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