Norton sub Hamdon Church

St Mary’s is a Grade 1 listed church originating from the 13th century. It stands as proud today at the centre of the village as it did when erected over 500 years ago. The only change to the exterior over the period has been a boiler room and the addition of pinnacles. Its nearly 100’ tower contains 8 bells which are regularly rung. It has many outstanding architectural features such as mediaeval windows, bell tower and dovecote, and it is featured in Simon Jenkins’ book “England’s Thousand Best Churches”.

The organ provides the music not only for both reflective and celebratory worship, but also for weddings, funerals and school services – often benefiting from the contribution of the Church Choir. The side chapel continues to be available for private prayer. There is a robed choir, as well as an active group of bellringers and flower arrangers.

The church maintenance is well supported by the village, especially by the ‘Friends of Norton Church’ group. Friends of Norton Church – Norton sub Hamdon Parish Council There is a well-kept churchyard tended by a band of “Merry Mowers” numbering around twenty.

---

USUAL SERVICE TIMES EACH MONTH

First Sunday: 9.30am Common Worship Morning Prayer
Second Sunday: 9.30am Common Worship Communion Service
Third Sunday:  6.00 pm BCP Evensong 
Fourth Sunday:  No Service

4th Wednesday 9.00am BCP Communion Service
Other Wednesdays: 9.30 am Morning Prayer

For other services in the benefice please see our Current Services page via this link

DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT

There is limited parking immediately outside the church gates – which can, if necessary, be reserved. Access to the porch is along a level blue lias stone path. There is a very small (2 inch) step through the large main doorway and there are a number of locations within the Nave suitable for wheelchairs. The vestry is also accessible. Unfortunately access to the chancel and side chapel is limited.  There is a sound reinforcement and loop system. Large print copies of the orders of service are usually available.

---

ADDRESS

Church address: Norton-sub-Hamdon, Stoke-sub-Hamdon TA14 6SU

---

CHURCH OPEN TIMES

Daily 9am – 1pm 
(for individual prayer/ visitors except during services)

---

CHURCHWARDENS

Peter Wilshire

Tel: 01935 882859

Mobile: 07836325609

Martyn Hamlin

Tel: 01935 881437

---

Our Church Community

Our church community embodies the warmth and charm that characterises the village. Much like the village itself, our congregation is a close-knit and welcoming group, deeply rooted in tradition yet open to new ideas and growth. So we have traditional BCP services through to Café Church and a regular Sunday afternoon family event.

The spirit of camaraderie and mutual support that pervades Norton-Sub-Hamdon is mirrored within our church, where members come together to celebrate faith, offer help to those in need, and engage in various community activities. We arrange food bank collections and are always available for pastoral care. We have great connections with our village school and the children come into church for special services.

Our church serves not just as a place of worship, but as a hub for social interaction, fostering strong connections between villagers and enriching the communal life of Norton-Sub-Hamdon.
We hold regular monthly coffee mornings which are fantastic social occasions for everyone, and we host concerts, lectures and other leisure activities in or around the church. www.nortonfestival.org

Tower Day

The spirit of camaraderie and mutual support referred to above is longstanding and was tested to the full in 1894 when lightning struck the church causing fire to break out. The whole of the inside of the church tower was burnt out including all the wood and lead work. The peal of bells fell 70 feet to the ground where they cracked beyond repair and damaged the original ham stone font. The clock, church roof, seating and the organ were also damaged before the villagers and local fire brigade brought the fire under control. The cost of the damage was estimated to be near £200,000 in 2025 terms but undeterred the villagers and sponsors rallied to effect repairs.

The funds were raised and local masons, carpenters and lead specialists repaired the damage and using the remains of the old bells, six new ones were cast and installed.

The remains of the burnt timbers were reclaimed and reused to build the splendid West Door with its intricate carvings.

All work was completed in a single year after which the church tower, its new bells and font were rededicated.

Today the achievements of the villagers in repairing and restoring the church is marked by an annual “Tower Day” celebration.
The bells ring out to celebrate the achievements on the peal of 8 bells (increased in number in 1998) and the Tower stands as a prominent feature of the village and the surrounding area.

OUR VILLAGE

Norton sub Hamdon is a picturesque village set at the foot of Ham Hill. It features many traditional ham-stone cottages and houses, as well as recently built homes, including some with shared ownership managed through the village Community Land Trust. The village location under the Ham Hill Country Park, provides easy access to many footpaths and bridleways, making it popular with dog walkers, horse-riders and walkers alike.

The village offers many amenities, including a primary school Norton & West Chinnock Schools | Somerset Primary School , post office, community shop, pub, large modern village hall Norton-sub-Hamdon Village Hall – A Hall With A View, two recreational fields, café/reading room for meetings, and is on a bus route.

Norton is a friendly, welcoming and inclusive village, with a strong sense of community. A wide range of activities take place on a regular basis, including the Annual Flower Show shared with Chiselborough. Monthly meetings of the “Crafty Critters” (sewing, knitting etc) take place while coffee mornings are held at different homes around the village each month. A Ladies’ Group meets regularly and enjoys a full programme of excursions

LINKS

Norton Festival

---

We are part of The Church of England
within the Diocese of Bath and Wells

‘I have come that they may have life in all its fullness’  (John 10 )