Nominal: 660 Hz Weight: 1731 lbs Diameter: 47.5" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Thomas I Bilbie 1753
Dove Bell ID: 1788 Tower ID: 13412 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: turned Cracked: No
Compton Martin: St Michael
Diocese of Bath & Wells
Church, 601296
https://www.beneficebcmu.co.ukOverview
Grid reference: ST 544 569
St Michael's is largely Norman with a chancel, aisled nave and mid sixteenth century tower. The chancel and north aisle were both heightened in the mid fifteenth century and the church was restored in 1858 and 1902 by TG Jackson. Above the chancel there is a void or columbarium. In 1606 this housed 140 squabs (pigeons) for the rector's table.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 328 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
St Michael's is largely Norman with a chancel, aisled nave and mid sixteenth century tower. The chancel and north aisle were both heightened in the mid fifteenth century and the church was restored in 1858 and 1902 by TG Jackson.
Building Fabric and Features
Church
Medieval Norman church
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Norman clearstoried nave and vaulted chancel with upper chamber
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
C15th work - eastern arch on the South raised, chancel arch and window built, South aisle rebuilt & raised and south chapel built. Nave given a barrel roof and the North aisle a flat roof with large bosses. Parcloses on chapel added
1848 - 1848
Period Qualifier: 1
Restored by S. B. Gabriel.
1900 - 1900
Period Qualifier: 1
ICBS gave £30 towards the cost of £1695 needed for restoration - architect T.G. Jackson
1902 - 1902
Period Qualifier: 1
New East window
Clerestory
Medieval Norman clearstoried nave of ashlar. Appears externally on North side.
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Nave
Medieval Norman clearstoried nave of 4 bays
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 1
C15th given a barrel roof
Chancel
Medieval Norman rib-vaulted 2-bay chancel with upper chamber.
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Tower (component)
16th Century Tower with pinnacles and 14 niches
Historical Notes
1520 - 1520
Period Qualifier: 2
Vault
Medieval Rib-vaulted chancel. West bay has 4 heads at the intersection. The Northwest rib rests on a corbel, the other side now on a C15th pillar. Then triple shafts - the transverse arch has zigzag (on the west), the east bay ribs as before.
Pillar
Medieval Round pillars with scalloped capitals, one pillar on the south is grooved with spirals. The pillar South of the chancel arch leans – as it bears the weight of the chancel arch, the east arch of the arcade, the arch to the chapel, and the South West corner of the chancel vaulting.
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Corbel
Medieval Clearstory of nave rests on a corbel table. Partially supports the rib-vaulting of chancel - North West rib rests on a corbel.
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Aisle
15th Century Aisle on South of nave raised, obscuring clearstory from outside
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 1
Moulding
Medieval Norman zigzag moulding on the transverse arch of the chancel rib-vaulting.
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Chancel Arch
15th Century C15th chancel arch added
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Capital
Medieval Norman scalloped capitals on rounded pillars
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Chapel (component)
15th Century South chapel added C15th
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Arch
15th Century Eastern arch on the South was raised with a short shaft
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Barrel Vault
15th Century Nave given a barrel roof C15th
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Aisle
15th Century North aisle given a flat roof with large bosses C15th
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 1
Roof
15th Century Nave given a barrel roof, and North aisle a flat roof with large bosses.
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 1
Boss
15th Century North aisle flat roof with large bosses.
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Building Materials
Ashlar
Medieval Clearstory on the North side - ashlar
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Interior
Interior Description
The interior has a stone flagged floor and the walls are stripped of plaster. Fittings include a Norman piscina in the chancel, Norman font in the nave, a fifteenth century carved wooden screen in the chapel, a seventeenth century altar rail and a nineteenth century neo-Romanesque stone pulpit.
A recumbent late thirteenth century efficy in the north aisle may commemorate Thomas de Morton.
Fixtures and fittings
Window
14th Century Single-light trefoiled C14th windows have been inserted in the side walls of the earlier chancel
Historical Notes
1300 - 1399
Period Qualifier: 2
Window
15th Century 3-light window added to chancel
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Stained Glass (window)
Victorian/Pre WW1 East window 1902, echoing the one over the chancel arch – with glass by Murray, London,
Font (component)
Medieval Norman font
Historical Notes
1140 - 1140
Period Qualifier: 2
Piscina (component)
Medieval Norman pillar piscine found at Priddy
Parclose
15th Century C15th parclose screens to the chapel
Historical Notes
1400 - 1499
Period Qualifier: 2
Effigy
13th Century Effigy of Thomas de Moreton
Historical Notes
1200 - 1299
Period Qualifier: 2
Bells
Nominal: 1111 Hz Weight: 706 lbs Diameter: 31.5" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Thomas I Bilbie 1733
Dove Bell ID: 16981 Tower ID: 13412 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: turned Cracked: No
Nominal: 989 Hz Weight: 693 lbs Diameter: 31.75" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Edward Bilbie 1713
Dove Bell ID: 16982 Tower ID: 13412 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: turned Cracked: No
Nominal: 881 Hz Weight: 733 lbs Diameter: 33.75" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Edward Bilbie 1719
Dove Bell ID: 16983 Tower ID: 13412 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: turned Cracked: No
Nominal: 831 Hz Weight: 922 lbs Diameter: 36.5" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by Joseph Badman 1723
Dove Bell ID: 16984 Tower ID: 13412 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: turned Cracked: No
Nominal: 740 Hz Weight: 1214 lbs Diameter: 40.75" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Edward Bilbie 1719
Dove Bell ID: 16985 Tower ID: 13412 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: turned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 544 569
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
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
Sources
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