The Church of St Nicholas is an Anglican parish church in Bathampton, Somerset, standing between the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Built in the 13th century, with a 15th-century tower and 18th and 19th century restorations, it has been designated as a Grade II* listed building.[1] The church is particularly noted for its Australia Chapel, which commemorates Admiral Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, who was buried there in 1814, while the churchyard contains several other significant tombs.
The parish is part of the benefice of Bathampton with Claverton.[2]
History
The Australia Chapel
The church has its origins in the 13th century, with its first vicar recorded in 1261 and a vicarage ordained in 1317; it was run by Bath Abbey until the Reformation.[3] During the 15th century, it was altered with a chapel being added in 1500 and tower in 1532.[4][5] This three stage tower contains six bells, two of which date from the 1540s.[6][7] The Reformation seems to have little effected the church, with Richard Gibbons serving as vicar from 1527 to 1567. During the reign of Elizabeth I the living passed to the Fisher family, who appointed vicars until selling the living to Ralph Shuttleworth Allen in the late 19th century.
In 1754-5, Ralph Allen rebuilt most of the church in a Gothic style, after he acquired Bathampton Manor in 1731, adding a family chapel adjoining the south of the nave.[8] During this process, many medieval features were lost, and the late 14th century statues of a knight and his lady were put in the churchyard. This may account for the medieval font being outside the porch as well.[9] From 1765, the living of Bathampton was merged with that of Bathford.
With the appointment of E.D. Rhodes in 1855, Bathampton was separated from Bathford, and the church was restored and expanded with the rebuilding of the north aisle in 1858 by Henry Goodridge and the restoration of the chancel in 1882 by C.E. Davis.[1]
In 1904, a cross was erected in the churchyard to commemorate the Coronation, and has had plaques for each coronation and jubilee since. By the main door are the memorials to those in the village who died in World War I and World War II.[10][11]
Australia Chapel
The Australia Chapel, formerly the Allen Chapel, was renamed after Admiral Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales.[12][13] His grave was rediscovered in 1897 and the Premier of New South Wales, Sir Henry Parkes, had it restored, although G.R. Robertson KC has since alleged that Phillip's remains may no longer be there.[14] In 1974, the chapel was renovated with a floor of Australian Wombeyan Marble, a memorial screen made of Australian Blackbean wood, kneelers from Tasmania and stained glass of the coats of arms of the Federal Government and all six states in the windows.[15] There is a special service near 11 October, the date of Arthur Phillip’s birth, each year to commemorate his life, in which the Australian High Commissioner lays a wreath on his grave.
Burials
Buried in the churchyard is the body of Adolphe, Viscount du Barry, a relative of Madame du Barry, who was killed in a duel on Claverton Down with his acquaintance Captain Rice, after an argument over cards.[16]
The church is open for public services every Sunday at 10:45am, with groups for children and youth, and Zoom provision. The church is active in the local community with the Bridge, a Thursday morning group for young and old to mix, and mid-week home-groups to study the Bible.
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