St Peter's Church, Combwich facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church
Religion
Affiliation	Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active
Year consecrated	1870
Location
Location	Combwich, Somerset, England
Architecture
Architect(s)	Charles Knowles
Architectural type	Church

St Peter's Church is a special church in the village of Combwich, Somerset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. A talented person named Charles Knowles designed the church. It was built between 1867 and 1870. Since 1985, it has been recognized as a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building.

History of St Peter's Church

St Peter's was first built as a "chapel of ease." This means it was a smaller church meant to help people who lived far from the main parish church, All Saints in Otterhampton. It made it easier for people in Combwich and nearby areas to attend church services.

How the Church Was Built

A kind woman named Mrs. Susanna Jeffery paid for most of the church. She was the wife of Rev. Dr. John Jeffery, who used to be the rector (a type of priest) in Otterhampton. Before he passed away in 1861, Rev. Jeffery had wished for a church to be built in Combwich. He even left £1,500 in his will for this purpose.

He said the money could be used if another £500 was raised by a certain time. Even though the deadline passed, Mrs. Jeffery, who had received the £1,500, decided to donate it back to the church project. This generous gift made building the church possible.

Building the Church

Mr. Charles Knowles from Bridgwater created the plans for the church. They found a piece of land from an orchard owned by Mr. Lee. On July 23, 1867, Mrs. John Evered, who was Rev. Jeffery's daughter, laid the first stone, called the foundation stone. Mr. Abraham Squibbs, also from Bridgwater, was the builder.

The church was officially opened and blessed on October 24, 1870. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Rev. Lord Arthur Hervey, performed the special ceremony.

Church Gifts and Changes

In 1873, Mrs. Jeffery gave five bells to the church. These bells were made by a famous company called John Taylor & Co in Loughborough. Later, in 1886, a beautiful lectern was given to the church. A lectern is a stand where the Bible is read. This one was made of carved oak, walnut, and pitch pine. Rev. Charles G. Anderson, the rector of Otterhampton, designed and made it to remember his uncle, Rev. Edward Poole.

Over time, the church's role changed. In 1971, the parish of Otterhampton joined with Stockland. Then, in 1984, it became part of a larger group of churches including Cannington, Otterhampton, Combwich, and Stockland. When the All Saints church in Otterhampton was no longer used in 1988, St Peter's became the main parish church for the area.

Architecture of St Peter's Church

St Peter's Church is built in a style called Perpendicular style, which is a type of Gothic architecture. The church walls are made from a local stone called Blue Lias rubble. It also has bands of red sandstone and tile roofs.

Church Design and Features

The church was designed to hold 240 people. It has a main area called a nave with three sections. On the north and south sides, there are smaller parts called transepts. The chancel, where the altar is, has a rounded end. There is also a vestry, which is a room for the clergy.

The church has a tower that includes the south porch, which is an entrance. On top of the tower, there is an eight-sided belfry, where the bells are kept, and a spire that points towards the sky. Many of the church's original fittings from the 1800s are still there today.

Under the west window, there is a special stone tablet. It says that Mrs. Jeffery built the church to honor her late husband and to fulfill his wish to help the people of Combwich spiritually.