Church of St Peter & St Paul, Churchstanton

The Church of St Peter & St Paul stands in the village of Churchstanton, Somerset, on a gentle rise above the Blackdown Hills. Built in the 14th century, it is a Grade I listed building and one of the oldest structures in the area. Restoration work in 1719 repaired earlier damage while a west gallery was added in 1830. A rood screen was installed in 1910, dividing the nave from the chancel. The church’s four-bay nave and angled chancel give it an unusual layout shaped by centuries of change. Inside, the church holds a Norman or Romanese font with a square Hamstone bowl supported by Purbeck Marble columns. The Jacobean pulpit, carved with simple patterns, stands near the chancel arch. These fittings survive from earlier periods despite later alterations. The church belongs to the Blackdown benefice, part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, linking it to a wider network of parishes. Visitors find a quiet interior with a waggon roof over the chancel and plain walls softened by muted light. The font’s columns show the craftsmanship of medieval masons while the pulpit reflects 17th-century woodwork. The rood screen divides the space into two distinct areas, creating a sense of separation between nave and chancel. Outside, the churchyard slopes gently away, offering views across the rolling hills of Somerset.