Diameter: 20" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Warner & Sons
Dove Bell ID: 57003 Tower ID: 21779 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Long Load: Christ Church
Overview
Grid reference: ST 464 231
A large Victorian church of stone for such a small village, set within a long churchyard stretching back from and sloping down to the village high street along which the settlement is strung. The present church was built in 1854-6, designed by C E Giles of Taunton and London, a prolific architect in this area whose work is also found elsewhere. The work was aided by an ICBS grant. This is an essay in the Early Decorated style, the spirelet in particular giving it more interest than most such village churches and some vertical emphasis.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay nave 2-bay chancel, south porch and lean-to north-east vestry and spirelet.
Dimensions:
Nave c 17m (55 ft) x 8m (25 ft, chancel 7 m (22ft) long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 231 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The Medieval bridge (rebuilt in the early 19th century) over the River Yeo at the north end of the village is a Scheduled Monument and Grade II* listed. There have been finds of Roman and Medieval material directly to the east of the churchyard, and there is evidence for Medieval settlement to the south of the village. The site is of considerable archaeological potential in terms of both the chapel and earlier settlement and the Historic Environment Record and County Archaeologist should be contacted if any development of the site is considered.
A chapel on the site dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary is first recorded in 1418 according to the list description, although a local history states it was first recorded as a chantry at the dissolution in 1548. Two watercolours in the church show it as a single cell building with pointed Gothic windows and a castellated bell turret at the west end. The chapel was described in 1790 as ruinous and was possibly rebuilt around this time.
The present church was built in 1854-6, designed by C E Giles of Taunton and London, a prolific architect in this area whose work is also found elsewhere. The work was aided by an ICBS grant. Some memorials and the pulpit survive from the chapel. Long Load became a parish in 1867 recognising its increased population, mostly people involved in trade on the river. There were major repair works in 1914 by Bond & Anderson of Cheltenham with an ICBS grant, and in 1969.
Exterior Description
This is an essay in the Early Decorated style, the spirelet in particular giving it more interest than most such village churches and some vertical emphasis, although Pevsner dismissed it as “silly”. It is located unusually on the north-east corner of the nave, and rises from an octagonal base with plinth, stepped offsets just above eaves level, then a lancet with tracery infill to each face, finally a stepped stone spirelet with iron cross finials. Stepped coped gables with cross finials, those to the east and west ends missing.
The nave has buttresses of two weatherings and 2-light Geometric traceried windows to each bay, and a 4-light west window. South porch has a moulded outer arch under a gable, and a simpler arch inside. The chancel has plinth and angle buttresses, the east wall a 3-light pointed Geometric traceried window under a hoodmould with stepped label; south windows a single and a 2-light to match. The vestry has two small cusped lancets in east wall, plain to north, and a pointed and moulded arched doorway with label in the west wall. Decorated chimney with spirelet off the north wall of the chancel, which has a 2-light window west of the vestry
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is very plain, with a stone flagged floor and plastered walls partially exposed. Some blue carpet. The nave is fully pewed with plain softwood benches with squared ends. Plain waggon roofs. The chancel arch is very tall. The choirstalls have blind tracery to the ends matching the altar and communion rails. There is a pointed and moulded doorway to the vestry with block stops. The main items of interest are the Jacobean pulpit from the old chapel, the stained glass window and a rather handsome hearse of c 1902 at the west end. The twisted brass gaslight stands rising from the pews are an unusual and interesting survival. There are bat droppings in the church, and the spirelet is said to be inhabited by crows.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th Century Altar chest of oak with three tracery panels to front, the centre a chalice within a cusped roundel.
Pulpit
17th Century Hexagonal oak Jacobean pulpit with fielded panels and decorated cornice, which survives from the former chapel.
Lectern
19th Century Two reading desks with tracery fronts.
Font (component)
19th Century Octagonal stone font with quatrefoiled panels, quite good. Inscription on base with names of churchwardens. Flat lid with ironwork.
Stained Glass (window)
20th Century East window, the Good Shepherd, probably from the studio of Christopher Webb. In memory of the Perrin Bicknell families, dedicated 1951.
Organ (component)
20th Century A two-manual organ of about 1910, brought from elsewhere, restored by George Osmond of Taunton. No other details known. In poor condition.
Plaque (object)
18th Century to 20th Century Marble wall tablet to the first vicar, John Gough, served till 1872. Quite elaborate with small figures of Christ as Good Shepherd and Sower flanking a wreathed oval tablet. Tablet to Leslie Satherly, organist died 1946. Apparently a tablet of 1733 on vestry wall, not seen. ICBS board recording grants for rebuilding in 1854 and repairing in 1914. World War I memorial, veined marble tablet with carved frame, a handsome piece.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 464 231
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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