St. Peter's Church, Staple Fitzpaine History

The original 12th Century church was rebuilt during the mid 15th Century. The present church is principally Perpendicular in style, with the south aisle, porch and vestry added during the 19th Century. The main doorway is Norman and the two 15th Century hamstone windows were moved out to their present positions when the south aisle was added in 1841. At this time the old oak pews and some interesting interior features were removed. The tower, chancel, nave and the north aisle exterior wall are all 15th Century with a 14th Century holy water stoup and also the figures of St. Michael and the Risen Christ. There is a grotesque supporting the niche at the North East corner. the ornate tower built in blue lias stone and hamstone by the Percy family is almost identical to the towers of Kingston St. Mary, Bishops Lydeard and Isle Abbots. It is considered to be one of the gems of the County towers. Just below its parapet are eight hunky punks (heraldic beasts) pertaining to the Percys - Earls of Northumberland who owned the Manor of Staple Fitzpaine from the mid 15th Century until 1527.

Inside the church the chancel screen and tracery in the priest's chair came from the old church of St Paul's Bickenhall when it was demolished in 1849. The screen across the vestry is thought to be part of St. Peter's original screen. The piscena in the sanctuary and the font are 15th Century. The alabaster wall statue of Rachel Portman, who died in 1632, was originally on the south wall of old St Paul's canopy. When the church was demolished, the statue, minus the prayer desk and the pillared canopy, was erected in the new St Paul's church - now Neroche Hall. When this 'new' church was declared redundant in 1970, the statue was moved to St Peter's Staple Fitzpaine and erected on the north wall of the sanctuary where it remained until November 1999. The statue has now been moved - and it is hoped finally! - to an excellent position between two windows on the north aisle where she can be seen by everyone entering the church.

The church has six bells - the oldest of which is engraved 'Est michi collatum IHS istud nomen amatum' - 'Jesus, Thy beloved name is bestowed on me.' It was cast by the Exeter Bell foundry circa 1450 and weighs six and a half hundredweight (330 kilos). there are some interesting inscriptions on the floor memorials in the sanctuary dating from the 18th Century, which are clearly readable. The 15th Century churchyard cross was considerably restored during the 19th Century by members of the Portman family. The new main churchyard gates, to the same design and pattern of the original gates, have been given through the generosity of the parishioners and other friends to mark the 3rd millennium, replacing the gates erected during the 19th Century restoration.

St Peters' now has a thriving congregation and the church is undergoing a period of restoration as funds allow. A very welcome addition is the creation of a 'Sunday Gang' which, like the old Sunday Schools, seeks to involve young people in the framework of the church. The church is united with Orchard Portman, Stoke St. Mary and Thurlbear and combined with Hatch Beauchamp, Beercrocombe, West Hatch and Curry Mallet under a common priest-in-charge, helped by an Honarary Curate. Priest in Charge: Rev Keith Powell Honary Curate: Rev Michael Pragnell MSc PhD Churchwardens: Mr Donald N Denham Mr Neil B Trood.