MSO7332 - Stoke Pero Church (Building)

Summary

The church dates from medieval times but was reroofed and extensively restored in 1897 by Sir Thomas Acland, restored again in 1955. The tower, however, dates to the 13th Century. It has a baluster font.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

[SS 8784 4348] Church (NAT). [1] The dedication of Stoke Pero church is not known. Nothing remains of the old church except the tower and the porch and such of the materials as could be utilised in building the present church in 1897. The old church, which had no foundations, was much decayed on removal and probably took the place of a still older and smaller church. The list of rectors goes back to 1242. [2] The church is in normal use. A notice in the church states that the parton saint is not known. [3] Church. Alone apart from one farmhouse, and must be one of the most solitary churches in Somerset, accessed by a farm track. West tower of just over one stage with a saddleback roof. Joint nave and chancel. Straight headed windows. Wooden doorway has a two centred arch. Tower arch round on the simplest imposts. [4] Parish church, dedication unknown. 13th Century tower, 1897 church and tower reroofed and extensively restored, restored again 1955. Three bay nave and chancel without division. [5] The church stands 1013 feet above sea level and as such is the highest church on Exmoor. When the new fountains were dug in 1897 three sets of human remains were uncovered from directly under the old north wall, suggesting that the 13th Century church had been built on the site of an older churchyard. The church font is medieval in date and the communion chalice (which is no longer kept in the church) dates to 1574. [7] The site was photographed from the north in the early 20th Century. [8] The church was photographed in 1999. [9] The buildings were visited in June 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. They received a BAR score of 6. [10] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [11] The site is labelled "Stoke Pero Church" on the 2022 MasterMap data, and the building is depicted at SS 8783 4349. [12] The 25 inch 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map labels the building "Church (Rectory)". [13] The church is shown on the Tithe Map for Stoke Pero. It appears to be on a different alignment, although this may be a surveying error. [14,15] The church was featured in an illustration dating to 1849. [16]

Sources/Archives (16)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1930. Ordnance Survey map. 6 inch.
  • <2> Monograph: Chadwyck-Healy, C. E. H.. 1901. The history of the part of West Somerset : comprising the parishes of Luccombe, Selworthy, Stoke Pero, Porlock, Culbone and Oare.. H. Sotheran & Co.. P. 243-5, illustration.
  • <3> Unpublished document: PITCHER, GHP. 1960s. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, F1, 22 June 1965.
  • <4> Monograph: Pevsner, N.. 1958. The Buildings of England: South and West Somerset. Penguin Books. P. 224-5.
  • <5> Index: 5/6/1985. 34th List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, District of West Somerset (Somerset). 32.
  • <6> Monograph: Allen, N.V.. 1974. Churches and Chapels of Exmoor. Exmoor Press. P. 80.
  • <7> Monograph: Usmar, J.. 1990. Stoke Pero, Exmoor: Church and Parish.
  • <8> Photograph: Vowles, A.. 1900-1925. Stoke Pero Church, taken from the north. B/W. Postcard.
  • <9> Photograph: Hesketh-Roberth, M.. 1999. Job: Stoke Pero Church. Negative.
  • <10> Report: Lawrence, G.. 2014. Exmoor National Park: Rapid condition survey of listed buildings 2012-13.
  • <11> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 35977, Extant 2 March 2022.
  • <12>XY Map: Ordnance Survey. 2022. MasterMap data. 1:2,500. [Mapped feature: #47875 ]
  • <13> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500.
  • <14> Map: 1841. Stoke Pero Tithe Map and Apportionment.
  • <15> Verbal communication: Various. 1993-. Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Team staff comments. Catherine Dove, 2 March 2022.
  • <16> Artwork: Wheatley, W.W.. 1849. Illustrations of Stoke Pero: Page 1. 1849. Watercolour.

External Links (2)

Other Statuses/References

  • 2012-3 Building At Risk Score (6): 444/5/58
  • Church Heritage Record ID: 601481
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO10571
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12037
  • Local List Status (Rejected)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 84 SE11
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 35977
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 33676
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 31044
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 34879

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 8783 4349 (17m by 12m)
Map sheet SS84SE
Civil Parish LUCCOMBE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Related Articles (1)

Record last edited

Mar 2 2022 5:15PM

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