St Mary, Bridgwater
St Mary, Bridgwater
St Mary’s is a Grade I major parish church on St Mary Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and the town’s principal landmark.
- Location
- Bridgwater, Somerset
- Country
- England
- County
- Somerset
- City / town
- Bridgwater
- Address
- St Mary Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3EQ
- Postcode
- TA6 3EQ
- Built
- Early C13; substantially rebuilt C14; nave reconstructed c.1420–30; restored 1848–57 and 1878
- Architect
- Nicholas Waleys (spire, from 1367); W H Brakspear (1848–57 restoration)
- Denomination
- Church of England
- Dedication
- Mary
- Diocese
- Bath and Wells
- Parish
- Bridgwater St Mary and Chilton Trinity
- Grade
- I
- Style
- Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic
- Materials
- Red Wembdon sandstone rubble, blue lias limestone and Ham Hill stone; double-Roman tile roof
- Grid reference
- ST 297 369
- Opening hours
- Our opening hours are as follows: Tuesday and Wednesday 12noon to 2pm. Thursday 10am to 4pm. Friday 10am to 2pm. Saturday 10am to 12noon. Sunday 8am for regular worship.
- Access
- Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby
Overview
Historic England lists an early thirteenth-century parish church, substantially rebuilt in the fourteenth century, with the nave reconstructed about 1420–30. Restorations followed in 1848–57 and 1878, principally in 1849 under W. H. Brakspear when the nave and aisle roofs were replaced; the tower and spire were repointed and buttresses added in 1887–88. The plan is cruciform: sanctuary, choir with chapels, a five-bay aisled and clerestoried nave, transepts and a low west tower with a tall spire. Materials include red Wembdon sandstone, blue lias and Ham Hill stone.
A church is recorded by 1107. William Brewer rebuilt in Early English style from 1209. The tower was standing by 1318, when a great bell was installed. Nicholas Waleys of Bristol began the spire in 1367; Pevsner called it “exceedingly elegant”. At 174 ft it is the tallest medieval spire in Somerset. The Duke of Monmouth watched James II’s army from the tower before Sedgemoor in 1685. The church holds a large Descent from the Cross, traditionally attributed to Murillo or Carracci.