Church of the Holy Cross, Middlezoy

The Church of the Holy Cross in Middlezoy, Somerset, England dates from the 13th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.[1]

Church of the Holy Cross
Stone building with prominent square tower.
Church of the Holy Cross, Middlezoy is located in Somerset
Church of the Holy Cross, Middlezoy
Location within Somerset
General information
Town or cityMiddlezoy
CountryEngland
Coordinates51.0938°N 2.8943°W / 51.0938; -2.8943
Completed13th century

William of Bitton II was the rector by 20 April 1263.[2] From the 13th to early 16th century, when it became a separate parish, Middlezoy was a chapelry of Sowy parish. The church was originally dedicated to St. Lawrence and later to St. Mary before adopting the current dedication in 1754.[3]

The church has a chancel and a nave with a south aisle and south porch, and a north chapel or vestry. The 3-stage west tower was built around 1483,[4] similar to that at Lyng. The tower contains six bells, including one of 1608, probably by George Purdue of Closworth.[3] The upper part of the tower was restored by Sall Strachey Historic Conservation. The work included replacing the pinnacles and sections of the pierced parapet.[5] On the stonework are hunky punks which have been severely damaged by the weather.[6]

The whole church has been renovated many times with a major restoration being undertaken in the 1860s to plans by Charles Knowles, with further repairs in 1908.[3]

The parish is part of the benefice of Middlezoy and Othery and Moorlinch with Stawell and Sutton Mallet, within the Glastonbury deanery.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Church of the Holy Cross". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  2. British History Online Archdeacons of Wells accessed 23 September 2007
  3. Robert Dunning, ed. (2004). "Middlezoy". A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 8: The Poldens and the Levels. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. Poyntz Wright, Peter (1981). The Parish Church Towers of Somerset, Their construction, craftsmanship and chronology 1350 - 1550. Avebury Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86127-502-0.
  5. "Holy Cross Church, Middlezoy, Somerset". Sally Strachey Historic Conservation. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  6. Wright, Peter Poyntz (2004). Hunky Punks: A Study in Somerset Stone Carving (2 ed.). Heart of Albion Press. pp. 41–45. ISBN 978-1872883755.
  7. "Holy Cross, Middlezoy". Church of England. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
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