St Martin of Tours' Church, West Coker

St Martin of Tours' Church, West Coker is a Grade II* listed[1] parish church in the Church of England in West Coker, Somerset.

St Martin of Tours’ Church, West Coker
St Martin of Tours’ Church, West Coker
LocationWest Coker
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipBroad Church
History
DedicationSt Martin of Tours
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II* listed[1]
Administration
ParishWest Coker
DeaneryYeovil
ArchdeaconryWells
DioceseDiocese of Bath and Wells
ProvinceProvince of Canterbury

History

The church dates from the 13th century. It was rebuilt between 1863 and 1864 under the supervision of the architect, James Mountford Allen of Crewkerne. The contractor was Robert Bartlett and Son of West Coker. The north and south arcades were rebuilt with the addition of one bay westward on the north side. The chancel arch was rebuilt. The plaster between the rafters of the chancel was stencilled and emblazoned by Mr Stansell of Taunton. The chancel was fitted with oak stalls, and the floor tiled with encaustic tiles from Maw & Co. The reredos was made by A.W. Blacker of Dawlish.[2] The church reopened on 14 October 1864.[3]

Organ

A new organ was installed in 1885. The gift of Miss Wood, sister-in-law of the Rector, it cost £500 (equivalent to £54,406 in 2019)[4] and was built by Nicholson and Lord of Walsall.[5]

Bells

The tower contains a ring of 8 bells. Four dating from 1770, and one of 1779 were cast by Thomas II Bilbie of the Bilbie family.[6] and the remaining three are by Llewellins and James and date from 1911.

Parish status

The church is in a joint parish with

See also

References
  1. Historic England. "Church of St Martin of Tours  (Grade II*) (1345829)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  2. "Reopening of West Coker Church". Sherborne Mercury. Sherborne. 18 October 1864. Retrieved 17 September 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. "West Coker. Reopening of the Parish Church". Dorset County Chronicle. Dorset. 20 October 1864. Retrieved 17 September 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  5. "Opening of a new organ". Western Gazette. Somerset. 17 July 1885. Retrieved 17 September 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "West Coker, S Martin of Tours". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Dove's Guide. 24 Jan 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
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