The Church In The Field

This Grade I building is known locally as the Church in the Field. The building we see today, beautifully isolated in the rolling countryside, was constructed around 1620 by Sir Edward Hext, Lord of the Manor.  

Writings by the rector of High Ham in the 16^th century suggest two earlier churches existed on the same site. A wall found during recent repair works – which will need further research – may also suggest the possibility of a prior church. There is evidence of Roman occupation in the area; the remains of a Roman villa were excavated nearby in 1946.

In 1645, the church suffered damage during the Battle of Langport, one of the most significant conflicts of the Civil War, which resulted in the Parliamentarians taking control of the West of England.

Low Ham’s church is a rare building in that features a Gothic style and yet was constructed in the late 17^th century. Inside, visitors can see 17^th-century fabric, fine floors, pews and glass.  

Hext’s grandson, George Stawell, had the building repaired and consecrated in 1668 and in 1921 the church was given in trust to the Church of England. We acquired the church in 2017 and following conservation work on the building the church is now once more open to the public.

Photo: Phil Draper (ChurchCrawler)