MSO12159 - All Saints Church, Wootton Courtenay (Building)

The earliest work in the church is of the 13th Century, which includes part of the east wall and east window and the greater part of the tower. The nave was re-roofed in the mid 15th Century and the aisle added. In the 16th Century, the south side of the nave seems to have been almost rebuilt. Drastic alterations and rebuildings took place between 1860-70. [1] In normal use. [2] Graveyard in use since at least medieval times. [6] Three plaques within the church are dedicated to the 47 men who served in World War One, 5 of whom died, and one member of the parish who died in World War Two. The plaques have a decorative surround of laurel leaves and bunches of grapes. The inscriptions are in raised and polished letters. The central plaque has a tall nowy head. [7] The building was visited in May 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. It received a BAR score of 6. [8] The parish church originally dates to the 13th Century but was altered in a restoration of 1866, when the upper section of tower with saddleback roof was added. A former rector, Richard Montague, became Bishop of Chichester in 1628. The church is built of local sandstone with Ham Hill stone dressings and slate roofs. It has a largely 13th Century tower (but with 1866 restoration). The remainder is mainly 15th or early 16th Century, when new windows were added (similar to Dunster and Cleeve Abbey). The ceiled wagon roof with large bosses is similar to those at Selworthy and Luccombe. [9] The church is described in "Exmoor Villages". [10] The Parish Church is built of local sandstone with Ham Hill stone dressings and slate roofs. It has a largely 13th Century tower and chancel, with the remainder of the church dating to mainly 15th or early 16th Century. The alterations of 1886 were considered by the architectural historian, Nikolaus Pevsner to be an over restoration. [11] The living was a rectory in the deanery of Dunster, valued at seven marks, three shillings and four pence in 1292. It was appropriated to the alien priory of Stoke-Courcy, and as parcel of its prossessions was granted to Eton College in 1442. In 1830, Savage writes that the church is "a very light and cheerful-looking structure", dedicated to All Saints, standing on the side of a hill behind the village and consisting of "a nave, chancel, and north aile, all covered with tiles. At the west end there is an embattled tower, containing a clock and five bells". Interior features included niches above the aisle pillars embellished with gothic ornaments, St Gabriel and Michael on either side of the east window (on the south of the nave), an "ancient octagonal sculptured font" and a "handsome gallery, supported by three arches, all of fine oak". [12] The Church war memorial records the names of those who served, were wounded and who died in World War One. Only one villager was killed in the Second World War, although several were wounded. [13] The Historic England Archive holds historic images of the site. [14-15] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [16] The church was assessed as part of the 2018-19 rapid condition survey of Exmoor’s Listed Buildings. It received a BAR score of 6. [17]