- Church of St Cuthbert, Wells
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Church of St Cuthbert 
Location within SomersetGeneral information Location Wells, Somerset Address St Cuthbert St Coordinates 51°12′30″N 2°39′01″W / 51.2083°N 2.6503°W Construction started 13th century Completed 15th century Height 142 feet (43 m) The Church of St Cuthbert is an Anglican parish church in Wells, Somerset, England dating from the 13th century. It is often mistaken for the cathedral. It has a fine Somerset stone tower and a superb carved roof. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
The dedication of the church to St Cuthbert suggests Saxon origins.[2] Originally an Early English building (13th century), from which the arcade pillars survive,[2] it was much altered in the Perpendicular Period (15th century),[3] when the clerestory and angel roof were added to the 7-bay aisled nave.[2]
It is built of Doulting ashlar stone to most of the south side. The north side is ruble with ashlar dressings. The north transept (St Catherine's Chapel) has the remains of its 13th century reredos on the east wall, which was rediscovered in 1848. The south transept which is otherwise known as The Lady Chapel has another stone reredos dating from 1470, based on the Stem of Jesse theme.[1]
Until 1561 the church had a central tower which either collapsed or was removed, and has been replaced with the current tower over the west door.[4] Bells were cast for the tower by Roger Purdy.[5] The present tower, the third highest in Somerset, at 142 feet (43 m) high,[6] is of 3 stages, with the top stage occupying half the total height.[1]
The nave's coloured ceiling was repainted in 1963 at the instigation of the then Vicar's wife, Mrs Barnett.[1][7]
There is a carved wood pulpit of 1636, with an elaborate stair and two carved coats of arms, of Charles I, and Charles II.
Part of the feature film Hot Fuzz was filmed here, the Church Feat Scene where Adam Buxton's character is crushed by a falling part of the Church roof.
References
- ^ a b c d "Church of St Cuthbert". Images of England. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=483529. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
- ^ a b c Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. pp. 223. ISBN 1874336261.
- ^ Leete-Hodge, Lornie (1985). Curiosities of Somerset. Bodmin: Bossiney Books. pp. 20. ISBN 0906456983.
- ^ "Our Church". St Cuthbert, Wells. http://www.stcuthbertswells.co.uk/our_church.html. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
- ^ "Bells in St Cuthberts Tower, Wells, Somerset". Notes & Queries s2-IV(93): 284–285. 1857. doi:10.1093/nq/s2-IV.93.284-b.
- ^ Wickham, Archdale Kenneth (1965). Churches of Somerset. London: David & Charles.
- ^ "Nos.14-27 Vicars Close". Images of England. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=483617. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
External links
Categories:- Grade I listed buildings in Somerset
- Wells, Somerset
- 13th-century architecture
- 15th-century architecture
- Grade I listed churches
- Church of England churches in Somerset
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