Stoke sub Hamdon Church

Welcome to St. Mary’s Stoke-sub-Hamdon

We are a friendly church for all ages in the village of Stoke-sub- Hamdon within the Ham Hill Benefice.
Everyone is warmly welcomed to St Mary’s, to join in our worship, prayer groups and receive fellowship. We are proud we can serve our local community and welcome visitors to the area.

Through our services, prayer groups and working in the community we endeavour to help people to encounter God, and help them to grow in their Christian faith.
We have a range of service types and, whatever the service, there is a consistent biblical message and a welcoming, caring atmosphere. Our mission is to be a church of people who love and support each other and meet the spiritual needs of all the community.

We have two places of worship within Stoke-sub-Hamdon. The majority of services take place in St. Mary’s at East Stoke, a mile from the centre of the village. Our beautiful ham-stone building has been a place of worship since 13th Century.
Our second place of worship is All Saints Chapel which is situated in the centre of the village and is place for our more informal monthly Cafe Church.

Regular Services

For those who prefer a more traditional form of worship, you may prefer Holy Communion services held at St Mary’s:
– Second and Fourth Sunday 11.00am – Common Worship Holy Communion
– Second and Fourth Wednesday – 9.00am – BCP Holy Communion

For those who prefer a more relaxed form of worship, or are new to worship you may prefer our Cafe Church at All Saints Chapel – every First Sunday 11.00am or our Morning Praise Service – every Third Sunday – 11.00am at St Mary’s.
These services have live music whilst other services have recorded music.

All Sunday services generally last an hour.

Facilities and Accessibility
Both places of worship have a toilet, a kitchen/ kitchenette, audio-visual provision and space for young children.
At St Mary’s there is also a hearing loop.
At All Saint’s Chapel there is level access and a small car park.
The accessibility at St Mary’s is a little more challenging with no designated disabled parking space. Most visitors park on the roadside at East Stoke. St Mary’s is approached by three steps, a paved pathway with a handrail and a step from the porch into the church.
Ramps are available on request.

We are committed to following Safeguarding Best Practice as set out by the Diocese.

Working with the Community and outreach activities

There is a regular House Group at All Saint’s Chapel on Tuesday afternoons. Within the Benefice we hold an annual Alpha Course, a Prayer Course or Bible Study course.
We work with young people, taking Open the Book into our local primary schools, and offering a Young Alpha Course in the local Secondary school.

There is also a monthly Family Tea @ 4, a child-friendly service with craft activities, bible stories, music and plenty of fun!
Each Monday morning there is a Community Cafe at All Saints Chapel.
The Chapel is also available for bookings.

Special Services are held throughout the year at St Mary’s to celebrate Weddings, Baptisms, Harvest, All Soul’s Day, Christmas, Mothering Sunday, and Easter.

ADDRESSES:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Stoke -Sub- Hamdon, Somerset. TA14 6UF
St Mary’s is open Daily 9am – 4pm ( except during services) for individual prayer

All Saint’s Chapel, West Street, Stoke – Sub- Hamdon, Somerset. TA14 6PZ

Church warden / Contact details
If you would like further information, please contact:
Colleen Jerrold -Churchwarden- colleen76a@gmail.com Tel: 01935 822077
Or the Parish Office administrator – hhv.keep@outlook.com
Or Rev. Nick Clarke – Rector – Tel:07485789968

HISTORY OF ST. MARY’S

There is evidence that elements of the church date from the 12th Century.

The Tower dates from the 13th century. The embattled top and cornice were added in the 15th century. The Porch and room above were added about 1325. It will be noticed that it is not bonded in to the wall of the Tower. The room above, sometimes called a Parvise, may have been used for school purposes, or as a place from which the priest or other person could watch the church. The main doors were probably replaced in the mid 1800s and are reputed to have come from Ilchester Jail when it was closed.

The Chancel, the East Window ( containing some medieval glass) and the walls are 15th century. There is no physical evidence of an apse. The other windows on the north and south date from about 1250. Those on the north may have been altered in the 15th century. The altar in Jacobean and the alter rail dates from Charles I. Fine specimens of 12th century corbel tables are to be seen on the north and south walls. Note the scratch dial on the south side.

The Nave with the fine Norman Chancel Arch is thought to have been rebuilt. It was restored in 1862. The Wall Paintings on the wall above the chancel arch are 14th or 15th century; those on the north and south walls are 17th century. In the north wall is a fine recumbent effigy of Thomas Strode who died in 1595. The Recesses in the north and south walls are probably an Easter Sepulchre, and an Aumbry. The double Piscina in the south east angle dates from around 1300. The font is late 12th or early 13th century and was originally centrally in the nave. It was moved in 1916.

The North Transept was added about 1190. It was a typical ribbed vault with rich stiff leaf corbels of the finest Transitional style, a style between Norman and Early English, which is rare in Somerset. The north window dates from about 1430. The 15th century stone Screen at the entrance was probably brought with the stone alter from the Chapel of St Nicholas in the Castle at West Stoke. The South Transept was added about 1300.

CHURCH OPEN TIMES

Daily 9am – 4pm
(for individual prayer/ visitors except during services)

CHURCHWARDEN

Colleen Jerrold
colleen76a@gmail.com
01935 822077

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 )