On entering St. Mary's Church one has a feeling of a satisfactory completeness, of
perfect proportions. This is because it was built entirely in one period. It was
commenced in the year 1400 and finished in 1445. There is little decoration of the
stonework -
Stand at the West end and notice the simple beauty of the six bays each side of the nave and the wagon shaped roof. There is a hagioscope or squint each side of the Chancel arch and also one in the Chapel. Provision was made for a rood screen and steps leading from the Chapel to the rood beam are there, but it is unknown whether a screen was ever made.
The fine oak roofs of the transepts, with their magnificent bosses, are particularly noticeable. The North transept was, before the dissolution, the site of two chantries, one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and one to St. Katherine. In 1975 it was completely refurbished as a memorial to Robert Anthony Fawcus, a much loved local doctor and a freeman of the borough. The South transept contains the very fine organ, built, and the opening recital given by, Father Willis in 1883. The tone is very good and is greatly admired.
The stained glass windows are comparatively modem and, excepting for one, all with the same basic colourings. The effect of this is very satisfying. The East window to the memory of a former Vicar is particularly good.
The Brewer Memorial-
The carved screen at the West end is a memorial to Prebendary Mallett and the table of Vicars a memorial to Revd. E. Vallance Cook, both Vicars of Chard. Some of the memorial tablets make very interesting reading.
There is evidence that the Church suffered severely at the hands of Chard's Puritans in the 17th century, particularly in the transepts and the chancel.
Traces of the old galleries, which surround the Church, can be seen in the stonework of pillars and windows of the aisles. Outside the Chapel there is a reminder that the Church's silver was stolen in 1840.
The floor of the nave was re-
There is a good porch at both the North and South doors, that at the North door being the more ornate. It is high enough for, and probably did have, a parvis room originally. Outside is a niche with the figure of Christ crowned with thorns and below this four angels holding the symbols of the Passion. Notice the pinnacles ornamenting the porches and the embattled parapet; it is a pity that so many have not been replaced. Few Churches can boast so many grotesque gargoyles.
The tower has a fine peal of eight bells and a clock which chimes out each quarter hour in a setting often known as 'Chard Chimes'.
The font is as old as the Church and is decorated with the Tudor Rose.
The Brewer Memorial dedicated to a local physcician.
Can be found in the Fawcus Chapel
Interior Picture of St Mary’s courtesy of the Somerset Records and Archives
Exterior Postcard of St Mary’s courtesy of Somerset Records and Archives
Click here to see the names of the past Vicars of St Mary’s
