Croscombe, The Church Interior 1899

Photo ref: 44103

More about this scene

The 15th-century parish church of St Mary the Virgin is built of Mendip lias and Doulting stone, and has a stone spire 108ft high. The piers of the aisle arcades are 14th-century. Note the Jacobean pulpit and the two brass candelabra; the smaller one dates from 1707, and the larger one, of about 1850, was sold to Croscombe church by St Cuthbert's in Wells when gas was installed there. The 17th-century screen bears the Royal arms of James I and those of the Fortescue family, lords of the manor, whose 15th-century manor house rose behind the church. The remains of its great hall became the Baptist chapel, now preserved by the Landmark Trust and rented to holidaymakers. The 15th-century rectory was once occupied by a treasurer of Wells Cathedral, Thomas Harries, rector from 1490 to 1511 - it is now called the Old Manor. The initials HS in the fan tracery of the ceiling are those of Hugh Sugar, treasurer from 1460 to 1489.

An extract from Wells Photographic Memories.