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St Matthews Church - Wookey Village

This is the only medieval church in Somerset dedicated to St Matthew.  There was probably a church on this site by 1000, but it is first recorded in the 12^th century.  At that time it was assigned to the dean of Wells but soon afterwards to the sub-dean although these rectors were never resident, appointing a succession of vicars (deputies) as priests.

The oldest part of the existing building is the chancel which is 13^th century.  The north aisle dates from the 14^th century and the nave, south aisle, tower and porch from the 15^th, probably being erected at the orders of

Bishop Bubwith who remarked on the ruinous state of the building.  In common with many other Somerset churches, the tower’s corner with the south aisle provided a spot for playing fives and evidence of the game may still be found.  The 16^th century saw the opening of the south side of the chancel and the building of the chapel, still unfinished.  A major restoration in the 19^th century included a new roof, but without destruction of the 15^th century beams and their carved spandrels
( see links on left); new seating was provided; the gothic revival reredos placed in the chancel; and monuments tidied.  The planned new vestry had to wait until the 20^th  century.  The first organ was given to the church in 1836 and in 1902 the organ was moved to the new organ loft under the tower. A new organ was installed in 1970.  The then five bells were re-hung in 1748 and 1928 and a sixth bell added in 1949.  There are minute remains of medieval painting but most was obliterated during the restoration.  The remnants of an early 20^th century paint scheme may be seen in the chapel.

Over the years the services conducted at St. Matthew’s have varied from medieval Catholic, through puritanical to Victorian formality and on to today’s more informal practices. Like Christ Church at Henton there has been a succession of clergy since John le Poch the first recorded vicar in 1246.

In 1698 John Turner, parish clerk recorded on the inside cover of the Register that 2,138 people had been buried in the church yard since the register had begun in 1567.  Counting up the burials in the old yard since and estimating the previous 400 years indicates that there have been some 5000 bodies interred in this area.  The churchyard was extended eastwards in 1879and 1922 requiring re-routing of the main road to Wells, and the demolition of a farm and cottages.  Wookey resident Toby Fountaine studied the previous Wookey memorial and burial records and documented every memorial at St Matthew’s and compiled an illustrated plan of the churchyard.  These have proved invaluable to genealogists

During Evensong on May 13^th 1906 the stair turret on the tower was struck by lightning.   Amongst other damage it was found that the lead on the roof was fused in four places.  The only casualty was a swift whose body is preserved in a glass case in the church.