United Reformed Church, Stoke-sub-Hamdon

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United Reformed Church
Stoke-sub-Hamdon United Reformed Church.jpg
Religion
Affiliation United Reformed Church
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Closed
Location
Location Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England
Geographic coordinates 50°57′17″N2°45′04″W / 50.9547°N 2.7511°W / 50.9547; -2.7511
Architecture
Architect(s) Robert C. Bennett
Type Church
Completed1866

The United Reformed Church is a former United Reformed church in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England. It was built in 1865-66 and closed for religious use in 2017. The former church is a Grade II* listed building. [1]

Contents

History

Although non-conformity worship had been present at Stoke-sub-Hamdon as early as 1689, [2] the lack of a purpose-built place of worship often resulted in inhabitants travelling to other neighbouring areas including South Petherton, Montacute, Bower Hinton and Martock. The glove manufacturer Mr. Richard Southcombe initiated plans for a church in 1865 by establishing a committee and subscription list to raise the necessary funds. The project was assisted by Samuel Morley, the MP for Nottingham and a large employer in the local area. [3] A plot of land was leased from the Duchy of Cornwall for a period of 99 years and a nominal sum of 15s per year. [3]

Once £1,000 had been reached, Mr. Southcombe hired Mr. Robert C. Bennett of Weymouth to draw up the plans for the church and Mr. Richard Reynolds was then hired as the builder. [3] Once the foundations of the building were completed, the foundation stone was laid by Samuel Morley on 18 October 1865. [3]

The church's opening services were held on 6 September 1866. Those who took part in the opening services included Rev. S. Hebditch of Bristol, Rev. W. Densham of South Petherton, Rev. R. James of Yeovil, Rev. E. Paxton Hood of Brighton. The same day saw a dinner held for 300 people in the schoolroom. £880 of the church's £1,975 cost remained as debt at the time of its opening, but the majority was raised over the course of the day. Mr. Morley increased his subscription from £300 to £500 and Mr. Southcombe increased his from £300 to £600, with a further £148 provided by various others in attendance. [4]

A minister's house and schoolroom was built adjacent to the church in 1869. Owing to the need of increased school accommodation, a schoolroom for infants was built in 1875-76. [5] The church underwent renovation for £400 in 1879. All seats and woodwork was cleaned and varnished, the walls repainted and the pulpit replaced by a rostrum. [6] The church continued to serve until 2017, with the final service being held on 7 January. [7]

Architecture

The church is built of Hamstone, sourced from nearby Ham Hill, with a roof of Welsh slate. [1] It was designed in the Decorated Gothic style, with similar features to the Congregational Church at South Petherton, which Bennett also designed. The church's open seats of stained wood were able to accommodate 350 persons. A 90-feet-high tower and spire is located on the south-east corner of the building. A schoolroom was built underneath the church. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 Historic England (27 October 1987). "STOKE SUB HAMDON UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, Stoke Sub Hamdon (1260181)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Parishes: Stoke sub Hamdon | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Laying the foundation stone of the new congregational chapel" . The Sherborne Mercury. 24 October 1865. Retrieved 22 October 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ↑ "New congregational chapel" . The Sherborne Mercury. 11 September 1866. Retrieved 22 October 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ "Laying the memorial stone of a new infant school" . The Western Gazette. 17 September 1875. Retrieved 22 October 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ "Re-opening of the congregational church" . The Western Gazette. 28 March 1879. Retrieved 22 October 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ "Stoke-sub-Hamdon Newsletter" (PDF). stoke-sub-hamdon.co.uk. January 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
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