Nominal: 621 Hz Weight: 2052 lbs Diameter: 48.75" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Abraham Bilbie 1770
Dove Bell ID: 7512 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Winscombe: St James
Diocese of Bath & Wells
Church, 601345
http://www.winsandchurches.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: ST 411 566
The Church of St James the Great, Winscombe is a Grade I Listed Building built in the 13th Century and restored in 1863. The church comprises a chancel, nave with north and south aisles (five bay arcade), north porch and four staged, 100 feet tall perpendicular west tower. Stained glass, restored 1850, includes 15th Century north windows and a triple-lancet chancel east window, probably by the firm of William Burges.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 454 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
A handbook produced in 1991 by Arthur Chambers contained the following information:
'The Domesday Book 1086 records the Manor of Winscombe as a possession of the Abbey of Glastonbury, having been given to the Abbey about A.D.970 by Aelswyth, wife of King Alfred. We are fortunate that through the mists of time two exact dates have come clearly to us. The list of Vicars begins with William De Kaynsham 1226, whilst the church itself, probably then about the size of our present Chancel dates from 1236. Official records have perished but a local farmer, Henry Luveseft of Barton endowed his new Church with ploughlands and a meadow and his Deed of Gift survives to this day confirming the date of Consecration as August 26th 1236. It was built and consecrated by Bishop Jocelyn (who build the great and now famous West Front of Wells Cathedral) and given by him three years later to the Dean and Chapter of Wells.'
Exterior Description
The stonework is a mixture of dolomite conglomerate and Dundry oolite, the style being Perpendicular Gothic. Fortunately the ravages of the Civil War left it untouched and it was not until 1863 that major restoration took place, being carried out faithfully without attempts to correct any existing incongruities.
Building Fabric and Features
Bell Tower (component)
Porch
Tower (component)
west tower - four staged - 100ft tall
Building Materials
Stone
the stonework is a mixture of dolomite conglomerate and Dundry oolite
Interior
Interior Description
Only parts of the original Chancel (including a single narrow window) and the Font remain from that building. The years of the 15th Century saw the building (by the Dean and Chapter out of profits from their Wool Trade) of the present Nave, Aisles and Bell Tower.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
13th Century
Clock
20th Century Clock with cast iron flat bed frame located in Tower made by Kemp brothers from Bristol in 1901
Historical Notes
1901 - 1901
Period Qualifier: 2
Stained Glass (window)
15th Century stained glass, restored 1850, includes 15th Century north windows and a triple-lancet chancel east window, probably by the firm of William Burges.
Bells
Nominal: 1243 Hz Weight: 632 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1903
Dove Bell ID: 46342 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1166.5 Hz Weight: 667 lbs Diameter: 29.75" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1903
Dove Bell ID: 46343 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1039 Hz Weight: 783 lbs Diameter: 33.25" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Abraham Bilbie 1770
Dove Bell ID: 46344 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 932 Hz Weight: 809 lbs Diameter: 35" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Abraham Bilbie 1770
Dove Bell ID: 46345 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 830 Hz Weight: 963 lbs Diameter: 37.5" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Abraham Bilbie 1770
Dove Bell ID: 46346 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 778.5 Hz Weight: 1051 lbs Diameter: 39" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Abraham Bilbie 1770
Dove Bell ID: 46347 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 699 Hz Weight: 1390 lbs Diameter: 43" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Abraham Bilbie 1770
Dove Bell ID: 46348 Tower ID: 13531 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 411 566
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.
The churchyard has war graves.
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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