Tuesday 16 May 2023

The Leaning Tower of Puxton

The nave and chancel of the Church of the Holy Saviour in Puxton possibly date from the 12th century.  Since then the church has been altered and enlarged several times.  There is archaeological evidence of a late Saxon and early medieval settlement in Church Field, which is next to the churchyard.  This may explain the location of the church. 

Puxton takes its name from Robert Pukerel who held land in the area c1176.  The place name Pukereleston (Pukerel’s tun or settlement) was first recorded in 1212.  The village was probably part of the manor of Banwell or Congresbury at this time. 

A tower was built on to the church in the 15th century.  Due to the low lying soft ground on which the church is built, over the centuries it has developed a significant westward lean. The lean is clearly shown on a drawing of the church done in 1821. 

The earliest feature in the church is the circular font, which may be 12th century or slightly later.  The bench seats in the nave date from the 16th century and the box pews are Georgian.  The octagonal pulpit and reading desk are Jacobean. There is an inscribed tablet set into the base of the rood screen commemorating Mary Whippey, who died in 1666. 

Puxton Church was declared redundant in 2002 and is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.  It is a grade 1 listed building. 

The leaning tower of Puxton
 

Nave of Puxton Church

Mary Whippey's Memorial Tablet



Chancel

Nave

Pulpit

Font

Porch of Puxton Church

Tuesday 2 May 2023

St Decuman

St Decuman was born in the 7th century in Rhoscrowther in Pembrokeshire.  He felt called to evangelise the people of Somerset and arrived by boat in Watchet.  He wasn't welcomed by everyone and was beheaded.  However, undaunted he picked up his head, washed the blood from it in the waters of a well and put it back on his shoulders.  Local people built a small church to him on the spot.  Today he is commemorated in Watchet by a pebble mosaic, a holy well and a stained-glass window in the parish church, which is dedicated to him.

Stained glass window of St Decuman in his church in Watchet

Stained glass window of St Decuman in his church in Watchet

St Decuman's Church, Watchet

St Decuman's Church, Watchet

St Decuman's holy well (grid ref ST 0643 4273) is now surrounded by a tranquil and well-maintained garden.  It can be accessed by walking west down the lane on the north side of the church.  The well is on the right-hand side a 100 metres or so beyond the church.

Entrance to St Decuman's Holy Well 

St Decuman's Holy Well

Holy well

Holy well

Holy well

Inscribed stone in the holy well garden
God breathed and man became a Living Soul, Genesis Chapter 2, verse 7

St Decuman and his favourite cow on a raft on their way to Watchet
This painting is on the Watchet Harbour wall mural

St Decuman arrives in Watchet by boat from Wales accompanied by his favourite cow



St Decuman is beheaded

The sword with which St Decuman was beheaded

This pebble mosaic, which is located outside Watchet Library, commemorates the arrival of St Decuman in Watchet by boat from Wales in the late 7th century.  It was created in 1996 by Maggy Howarth of Cobblestone Designs.