Church of St Peter & St Paul, North Curry

The Church of St Peter & St Paul in North Curry, Somerset, England, is nicknamed ‘The Cathedral of the Moors’. It dates from the 14th century and has been designated a Grade I listed building.[1]

Church of St Peter & St Paul
Ornate church building with hexagonal tower.
Church of St Peter & St Paul, North Curry is located in Somerset
Church of St Peter & St Paul, North Curry
Location within Somerset
General information
Town or cityNorth Curry
CountryEngland
Coordinates51°01′32″N 2°58′19″W / 51.0255°N 2.9719°W / 51.0255; -2.9719
Completedc1300

The church is Norman in origin, with the lower stages of tower, transepts and nave being built around 1300. Only the north doorway survives from the original church built by Bishop Reginald Fitz Jocelin.[2] In the 14th century the upper stage of the tower was added and in 1502 the chancel was rebuilt, the porch added and the walls of clerestory raised. Some minor restoration including the parapet of the tower was carried out in 1832 by Richard Carver. Later in the 19th century the north aisle wall and door were taken down and re-built and the vestry added, by John Oldrid Scott.[1]

The church was erected on the site of an earlier church. Episcopal records in Wells mention a church in North Curry as early as 1199.[3]

The church has a good view of the Levels and moors, with benches placed for walkers and other visitors. To assist visitors tracing their ancestry to North Curry, the church has posted a map of the graves in the cemetery.

In August 2007, North Curry Church was incorporated into the Athelney benefice of the Church of England. The vicar of the Athelney benefice covers the parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry, and Stoke St Gregory.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Church of Saint Peter and St Paul". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  2. ^ Dunning, Robert (1996). Fifty Somerset Churches. Somerset Books. pp. 84–86. ISBN 978-0861833092.
  3. ^ North Curry Church website