Church of St Mary, North Petherton, Medieval church in North Petherton, England
The Church of St Mary is a medieval place of worship with a tower rising 112 feet and decorated with fine stonework, housing six bells inside. The building follows Perpendicular architectural style and stands on Fore Street in the village.
The site dates back before the Norman Conquest, but the current building was constructed around 1490 and incorporates elements from an earlier 13th-century structure. This blending of different periods shaped how the building looks today.
The interior holds a gallery from 1623 and a carved wooden pulpit from the 15th century, both showing how the community used this space across generations. The building remains the spiritual center of the village and continues to host worship and community gatherings today.
The church sits on Fore Street and is easy to locate; the roof and north aisle parapet are undergoing extensive repairs. Visitors should be prepared for construction work or temporary restrictions as restoration continues.
The tower wall displays carved stone figures known locally as hunky punks, representing various animals. These playful ornaments are a rare feature of stonework in this region and give the tower its distinctive character.
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