St Mary’s Church

The Church of St Mary in North Petherton, Somerset, England dates from the 15th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building. It is on the Heritage at Risk Register due to the condition of the roof and north aisle parapet.

There was a church in North Petherton before the Norman Conquest and the site belonged to Buckland Priory from the 12th century. The current building dates from the expansion of the town around 1490, although it does contain some fabric from the 13th century.

The minster church has a highly decorated tower which, at 112 feet (34 metres) high, was described by Nickolaus Pevsner as one of the finest towers in the county. The tower was built around 1508. It contains a peal of six bells, and a clock built in Bridgwater in 1807. On the stonework are hunky punks in the shape of animals.

The interior has a minstrel gallery from 1623, a carved wooden pulpit from the 15th century, and a brass chandelier which was added in 1984.

The parish is part of the Alfred Jewel benefice within the Sedgemoor deanery.

The Church in the Perpendicular style, is an edifice of Ham Hill stone dating from about A.D. 1400, but the Tower and Sacristy are probably some forty years later.

The Church consists of a Chancel, Nave of six bays, Aisles, North and South Porches, and an embattled W. Tower with pinnacles of the Decorated period, containing a Clock and six Bells.

The Sacristy is situated at the East end. Since 1873 the Church has been thoroughly repaired, the work during the second period of restoration ending in 1914, being in charge of the late Mr. Baker King of the Sanctuary, Westminster. Mr. Baker-King’s work is truly admirable and the Church is a good example of how such work should be done.

The ironwork of the Sacristy windows is contemporary, also the fine carved door opening into the Chancel. In the Chapel now occupied by the Organ is a Piscina with the recumbent figure of a lamb(?) at its base.

A very fine Screen (1909) replaces one long demolished. 

The Pulpit dates from about 1420.

The Font is late Perpendicular 1460-1540.

The Gallery (South side) bears date 1623 and is thrown out from the old Muniment Room over the South Porch. The carving of the hammer beams above is fine.

The South Aisle (East end) has the matrix of an elaborate brass of which only the inscription remains ; it dates from 1413.

In the Nave is a brass to Catherine Morley, wife of John Morley, 1652. Morley became vicar in 1615 and his living was usurped under the Commonwealth.

The Bells were re-cast and re-hung by Mears & Stain bank and again re-hung last year by Doble & Sons of Taunton but not re-cast.

The War Memorial contains 41 names and consists of a bronze mural piece by the Bromsgrove Guild, Worcestershire.

• February 2025 – Dean Whitaker 
• January 2010 – July 2023 Jane Haslam (Source: Jane Haslam LinkedIn Profile)
• ??
• 1993 – Jonathan Trevor Lloyd Still (born August 1959) ( Source)
• 1985-1992 – Brian Castle (Source: Brian Castle LinkedIn Profile)
• 1965-1984 – B. A. A. Whiting

• 1916 – John Addy
• 1894 – Percy Turner Michell
• 1891 – Abraham Mendel Hertzberg
• 1858 – J.W.Robinson
• 1851 – A.H.P Trewman
• 1835 – Jonathan James Toogood
• 1801 – William George, A.M
• 1787 – Joseph Aldridge
• 1754 – Nicholas Tanner
• 1750 – Abraham Phelps
• 1715 – Edmond Archer
• 1681 – Bartholomew Scammell
• 1677 – Robert Moreman, A.B
• 1662 – William Huish, A.M
• 1615 – John Morley, S.T.B
• 1613 – Timothy Rivett, S.T.B
• 1598 – John Tanner
• 1576 – And. Jeffries
• 1558 – John Wylliam ats Rose
• 1558 – Andreas Jefferys
• 1588 – John Smyth
• 1554-1557 – Edward Cratforde
• 1554 – Ric. Edon, S.T.B
• 1546 – Joh. Wylliam at Rose
• 1543 – Emerius Tuckfield
• 1531 – Joh. Bulcombe
• 1523 – William Parkhowse, A.M
• 1476 – John Harrow, A.M
• 1473 – John Mustard
• 1444 – Rob Norys, A.M
• 1421 – John Pederton
• 1421 – William Hampsted
• 1420 – John Wootton
• 1409 – John Colyford
• 1448 – Reg. de Fardynges
• 1348 – Gilb de Ovene [ton
• 1345 – Nich. de la Mor
• 1342 – Nich. de Somerton
• 1332 – Thomas de Foxtone
• 1313 – William de Wychton
• 1310 – Laurence de Cherleton
• 1309 – John de Messingham