SomersetCLOFORDBlessedVirginMary(richardmawerPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 RichardMawer

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Beautifully sited rural church of 15th to 19th century with an extremely rare 1676 painted limestone monument and lovely candleabra, oil lamps, reredos and Norman font.

Cloford, Somerset

Opening times

The church is often open, but if not the keyholders, all of whom live very nearby are:
Richard Mawer 07967 651240
Wendy Maxwell 07512 681111
Richard Wilson 07753 429045

Address

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Church Lane
Cloford
Somerset
BA11 4PQ

The church is in a glorious setting. It has been on the same site since the 11th century. The tower was added in the 15th century. The nave was reroofed and the chancel rebuilt and enlarged in 1856. In 1867 a stone laying ceremony was held for the organ chamber and vestry, which was dedicated in 1869 by Revd JH Horner, Rector of Mells and Patron of Cloford. The porch was added in 1887 for the jubilee.

There are no aisles, but the church has great spatial unity with three arm candelabra on every other pew and magnificent hanging lamps in the chancel, which also has a superb reredos from the 1856 chancel rebuild, in excellent condition. There is a Norman font. The church has one side chapel on the north side, the Horner chapel, in which is the magnificent 1676 painted limestone wall monument to Sir George Horner (the rebuilder of Cloford Manor) and his wife Lady Anne. This monument is extremely rare and underwent a five month, £40,000 restoration in 2022.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • National heritage here

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Service every 4th Sunday of the month at 11am alternating between Holy Communion and 1662 Matins.

  • Church of England

Contact information

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