St. Nicholas, Henstridge, Somerset
Description
The church of St. Nicholas was rebuilt, with the exception of the ivy-covered tower and a portion of the north and west walls of the north aisle, in 1873 at a cost of £3,235, the material used being local forest marble, with Doulting stone dressings, a Decorated south aisle and porch being added: the church now consists of chancel with north aisle, organ chamber on the south side, serving also as a vestry, nave of five bays, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles and containing a clock and 6 bells, three of which were recast and the sixth added in 1900: the Perpendicular chancel aisle retains a fine canopied altar tomb, with two mutilated recumbent effigies representing William Carent, of Toomer and Margaret (Stourton), his wife; it is dated 1463, and is richly carved, illuminated and adorned with shields bearing the arms of Carent and Stourton; in the north-west corner is a raised tabernacle of blue lias stone with sculptured canopy; the moulded chancel arch is of lofty proportions and springs from corbels of Devonshire marble and Bath stone, richly carved: the ancient Perpendicular font has been restored; two windows in the chancel are stained: in 1900 the tower was rebuilt, and in 1908 a clock was placed in the tower as a memorial to the late Rev. Prebendary Arthur Giro Dowell M.A., vicar here 1883-1904: there are sittings for 440 persons.
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Church Records
The parish register dates from the year 1653.