The Exterior of St. Petrock's Church, from the Northwest, c. 1905-1910
Title
The Exterior of St. Petrock's Church, from the Northwest, c. 1905-1910
Subject
Description
Two versions of a photograph of Timberscombe's St. Petrock's Church, variously identified as being taken about 1905 to 1910 (1). It is photographed from the northwestern side of the church, near where one of the churchyard's three gates is located. On the lower left of the photograph, a bit of pathway is glimpsed that proceeds from that gate to the church's main entrance, the North Porch. To the left of the visible pathway, is another (unseen) gate, considered the primary gate, at the top of cobblestoned steps leading up to the church. The third gate, the upper gate, is behind the church, entering from Church Street to the south side of St. Petrock's.
The church is dedicated to St. Petrock, a tireless Welsh saint, reputed to have founded many churches throughout Devon and Cornwall-- and with this excursion into Somerset-- between 500 and 600 A.D. (2). Supposedly the son of a prince, a death date of c. 564 at Trerval, Wales has been suggested for the saint (3). The site of St. Petrock's was likely chosen because of its elevated position at a crossroads of ancient tracks and its proximity to the medieval Churnet Ford.
Hopefully there are aspects of fact in St. Petrock (or at least his followers) establishing a church here but between March and June 2020, scientific methods offered more incontrovertible evidence of possibly sacred activity at this site. A monitored trench needed to be dug along the southern edge of the church's ancient churchyard, so as to make necessary mains connections. While this was eventually accomplished, more immediate was the discovery of uncharted burial plots and unearthed wooden timbers. Subsequent carbon dating confirmed a settlement, likely religious, here in the ancient centre of a Saxon community by 777 A.D. (4)
The building of the present church is considered to have commenced in the 1100's, with additions in the 1500's and remodeling in the 1880's (5).
Past the visible section of pathway is the Churchyard Cross, standing in front of the impressive yew tree, thought to have been growing on this site since c. 1400 (6). The support of the cross is also ancient, with its original socket stone and most of its shaft surviving since the 1300's and moved from a village location to this present position at a later date. A modern base and the crucifix at its top, were rebuilt in 1896, memorializing Rev. William Bailey Whitehead, St. Petrock's vicar from 1826 to 1853 (7). The pathway continues to the North Porch, which faces toward the heart of Timberscombe. It was constructed in the mid 15th century, with its wagon (or barrel) roof containing original timbers and bosses (8).
From the angle that this photograph is taken, the church's tower is highlighted. Replacing an earlier tower, the 2-stage tower, with it's two-light bell openings under hooded mouldings, is believed to have been completed in 1708, under the patronage of the 16-year-old Richard Elsworth (variously seen as Ellsworth or Elsworthy) of Bickham Manor (9). St. Petrock's has eight church bells, ranging from 1307 (the first recorded donation to purchase a bell) to 1925-1926, when the 7th and 8th bells were added (10).
Opinions of the tower have been mixed. In their 1955 booklet, "THE VILLAGE OF TIMBERSCOMBE AND ITS CHURCH", B. L. K. (also known as James) Henderson, a Churchwarden, who farmed at Allercott, and was buried at St. Petrock's and his brother, G.O.E. Henderson, the Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1960 to 1975 (11), wrote "The intention was good, the builder's efforts not quite so happy". Others feel its solidity is appropriate to this originally poor and hardworking community. Certainly, it has unusual features, with a pyramid slate roof over its 19th century parapets (12). On the tower's four corners, instead of gargoyles, are the four evangelists: St. Mark, represented as a Lion, St. Luke as an an Ox , St. John as eagle and St. Matthew as a man's head (13).
In 1906, around the time of this photograph, the possibility of a tower clock was underway, with quotes being sought. It took until 1924 for a decision to be made and in May, of 1926, the Bishop of Taunton was invited to celebrate its installation--a ceremony that had to be postponed to June because of the country's General Strike (14).
The clock was later installed on the tower's north side in 1926, too late to be seen on this photograph, above an undated memorial plaque, which is visible here, created by a mason, George Alderman. The plaque was to honour Richard Elsworth and records he built (as translated from Latin) the tower in 1701. At some point, a weathervane, reading "1708" and "RE" (for Mr. Elsworth ) was added to the tower's top (also not visible here). It has been suggested the tower was completed earlier, perhaps 1701, but an intense storm on 26-27 November 1703 may have been the cause of such damage that final repair work was not achieved until 1708 (15).
Between the tower and the porch are tall wrought iron railings, later removed.
Both versions of the photograph are labelled "Timberscombe Church" on the upper left, printed in red on the lower version. The upper one was anonymously donated to the St. Petrock's History Group in 2018. The lower copy was donated in October 2021 by Tim Collins of Whitelackington near Ilminster, who grew up in Timberscombe. Both photographs are presented here, as the bottom version is cropped less closely, allowing a little more to be seen, such as a stone shed on the lower right, that still stands in modern times at the back of the garden of The Knapp, the property behind the church. Sharper in tone, the second version allows slightly more detail to be highlighted, such as on the Churchyard Cross. A third copy of this photograph was donated from the estate of the late Mary Wright, Head Teacher at the Timberscombe School from 1976 to 1985, presented in September 2021 by her nephew, John D. Jones of Monmouthshire. It is held in the St. Petrock's History Group Archive, labeled as SP-048D.
Mr. Collins' donation is an original postcard, which also indicates a publisher. The reverse of his postcard is reproduced here. On the left edge is "J.B. & S.C." At the time of writing, little is known of this publisher but it seems likely it may have been based around Bristol. A few other postcards survive labelled as the "J.B. & S.C. Avonvale Series", featuring locations in and around the city (such as the Clifton Bridge), with publishing dates from 1904 to 1907. While not labelled as part of the Avonvale Series, it appears that "J.B." and/or "S.C." may have journeyed to Timberscombe for this photograph.
The church is dedicated to St. Petrock, a tireless Welsh saint, reputed to have founded many churches throughout Devon and Cornwall-- and with this excursion into Somerset-- between 500 and 600 A.D. (2). Supposedly the son of a prince, a death date of c. 564 at Trerval, Wales has been suggested for the saint (3). The site of St. Petrock's was likely chosen because of its elevated position at a crossroads of ancient tracks and its proximity to the medieval Churnet Ford.
Hopefully there are aspects of fact in St. Petrock (or at least his followers) establishing a church here but between March and June 2020, scientific methods offered more incontrovertible evidence of possibly sacred activity at this site. A monitored trench needed to be dug along the southern edge of the church's ancient churchyard, so as to make necessary mains connections. While this was eventually accomplished, more immediate was the discovery of uncharted burial plots and unearthed wooden timbers. Subsequent carbon dating confirmed a settlement, likely religious, here in the ancient centre of a Saxon community by 777 A.D. (4)
The building of the present church is considered to have commenced in the 1100's, with additions in the 1500's and remodeling in the 1880's (5).
Past the visible section of pathway is the Churchyard Cross, standing in front of the impressive yew tree, thought to have been growing on this site since c. 1400 (6). The support of the cross is also ancient, with its original socket stone and most of its shaft surviving since the 1300's and moved from a village location to this present position at a later date. A modern base and the crucifix at its top, were rebuilt in 1896, memorializing Rev. William Bailey Whitehead, St. Petrock's vicar from 1826 to 1853 (7). The pathway continues to the North Porch, which faces toward the heart of Timberscombe. It was constructed in the mid 15th century, with its wagon (or barrel) roof containing original timbers and bosses (8).
From the angle that this photograph is taken, the church's tower is highlighted. Replacing an earlier tower, the 2-stage tower, with it's two-light bell openings under hooded mouldings, is believed to have been completed in 1708, under the patronage of the 16-year-old Richard Elsworth (variously seen as Ellsworth or Elsworthy) of Bickham Manor (9). St. Petrock's has eight church bells, ranging from 1307 (the first recorded donation to purchase a bell) to 1925-1926, when the 7th and 8th bells were added (10).
Opinions of the tower have been mixed. In their 1955 booklet, "THE VILLAGE OF TIMBERSCOMBE AND ITS CHURCH", B. L. K. (also known as James) Henderson, a Churchwarden, who farmed at Allercott, and was buried at St. Petrock's and his brother, G.O.E. Henderson, the Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1960 to 1975 (11), wrote "The intention was good, the builder's efforts not quite so happy". Others feel its solidity is appropriate to this originally poor and hardworking community. Certainly, it has unusual features, with a pyramid slate roof over its 19th century parapets (12). On the tower's four corners, instead of gargoyles, are the four evangelists: St. Mark, represented as a Lion, St. Luke as an an Ox , St. John as eagle and St. Matthew as a man's head (13).
In 1906, around the time of this photograph, the possibility of a tower clock was underway, with quotes being sought. It took until 1924 for a decision to be made and in May, of 1926, the Bishop of Taunton was invited to celebrate its installation--a ceremony that had to be postponed to June because of the country's General Strike (14).
The clock was later installed on the tower's north side in 1926, too late to be seen on this photograph, above an undated memorial plaque, which is visible here, created by a mason, George Alderman. The plaque was to honour Richard Elsworth and records he built (as translated from Latin) the tower in 1701. At some point, a weathervane, reading "1708" and "RE" (for Mr. Elsworth ) was added to the tower's top (also not visible here). It has been suggested the tower was completed earlier, perhaps 1701, but an intense storm on 26-27 November 1703 may have been the cause of such damage that final repair work was not achieved until 1708 (15).
Between the tower and the porch are tall wrought iron railings, later removed.
Both versions of the photograph are labelled "Timberscombe Church" on the upper left, printed in red on the lower version. The upper one was anonymously donated to the St. Petrock's History Group in 2018. The lower copy was donated in October 2021 by Tim Collins of Whitelackington near Ilminster, who grew up in Timberscombe. Both photographs are presented here, as the bottom version is cropped less closely, allowing a little more to be seen, such as a stone shed on the lower right, that still stands in modern times at the back of the garden of The Knapp, the property behind the church. Sharper in tone, the second version allows slightly more detail to be highlighted, such as on the Churchyard Cross. A third copy of this photograph was donated from the estate of the late Mary Wright, Head Teacher at the Timberscombe School from 1976 to 1985, presented in September 2021 by her nephew, John D. Jones of Monmouthshire. It is held in the St. Petrock's History Group Archive, labeled as SP-048D.
Mr. Collins' donation is an original postcard, which also indicates a publisher. The reverse of his postcard is reproduced here. On the left edge is "J.B. & S.C." At the time of writing, little is known of this publisher but it seems likely it may have been based around Bristol. A few other postcards survive labelled as the "J.B. & S.C. Avonvale Series", featuring locations in and around the city (such as the Clifton Bridge), with publishing dates from 1904 to 1907. While not labelled as part of the Avonvale Series, it appears that "J.B." and/or "S.C." may have journeyed to Timberscombe for this photograph.
Creator
seemingly "J.B. & S.C."
Source
Date
c. 1905-1910
Contributor
Language
English
Identifier
St. Petrock's Church exterior / Timberscombe / village centre
Acquisition Date
2018
2021
2021
Acquisition Method
Gift
Gift
Gift
Category
PLACES: Churches and Chapels / Timberscombe
Condition
Good
Condition Notes
Entered by Tom Sperling
Condition Date
2019 and 2021
Dimension Type
W X L
Dimension Units
cm
Dimension Value
12 X 18
10 X 18
7.5 X 13
13 X 19
10 X 18
7.5 X 13
13 X 19
Institution Name
St. Petrock's History Group
Notes
(1) a copy of this photograph is at the West Somerset Rural Life Museum, that has been identified as "1905-1910" (2) "THE VILLAGE OF TIMBERSCOMBE AND ITS CHURCH", by B. L. K. Henderson and G.O.E. Henderson, printed by E. Goodman & Son. Ltd., The Phoenix Press, Taunton, 1955 (3) celticsaints.org (4) "The Parish Church of St. Petrock, Timberscombe, Somerset, The Results of Archaeological Monitoring", Ref: 18-30/2000, April 2021, by James L. Brigers, PA PROSPECT ARCHAEOLOGY, Middlezoy, Somerset (5) St. Petrock's Church Timberscombe", church pamphlet, written by Marion Jeffrey, 2017 (6) "St. Petrock's Church Timberscombe" (7) "St. Petrock's Church Timberscombe (8) Historic Environment Record, Exmoor National Park (9) British Listed Buildings.co.uk (10) "St. Petrock's Church Timberscombe" (11) forward written by Marion Jeffrey to excerpt from "THE VILLAGE OF TIMBERSCOMBE AND ITS CHURCH", by B.L.K. Henderson and G.O.E. Henderson, republished with permission of the Henderson family, c. 2017 (12) British Listed Buildings .co.uk (13) "THE VILLAGE OF TIMBERSCOMBE AND ITS CHURCH" (14) "St. Petrock's Church Timberscombe" (15) as suggested by David and Jerry Sampson of Buildings Archaeology, in their Archaeological Assessment 2019, "TIMBERSCOMBE St. Petrock", part of The Somerset Churches Project, August 2019
Storage Location
St. Petrock's History Group Archive
Storage Date
2020
2021
2021
Storage Notes
St. Petrock's History Group PHOTOGRAPHS
Item Reference
SP-048
Technique
Copies
Citation
seemingly "J.B. & S.C.", “The Exterior of St. Petrock's Church, from the Northwest, c. 1905-1910,” St. Petrock's History Group, accessed May 7, 2024, https://stpetrockshistorygroup.omeka.net/items/show/3208.
Comments