Church of SS Quiricus & Julietta, Tickenham

The Church of SS Quiricus and Julietta stands in the quiet village of Tickenham, Somerset. Built in the 11th century, it began as a simple nave and chancel before aisles and a south chapel were added in the early 13th century. The church is one of only four in the country dedicated to these two saints, with the others in Cornwall and Cambridgeshire. Its Grade I listing recognises its historical importance. The oldest part is the chancel, which still has its low Norman arch. A tower was added in 1497, and the church was once known as the Bave Chapel after a local family. The church contains notable fittings from different centuries. The baptismal font in the south aisle dates to around 1300, with a square bowl and Purbeck shafts. A carved wooden pulpit in the nave comes from the Jacobean period. The chancel and chapel altars rest on columns of Elton ware, a gift from Sir Edmund Elton in 1895. Stained glass windows include early 14th-century figures of Christ Crucified and Christ in Majesty in the south aisle. Fragments of 14th-century glass also appear in the north aisle. Visitors find a peaceful building with clear signs of its long history. The nave and aisles show layers of medieval work, while the tower marks the late 15th century. The south chapel, once linked to the Bave family, adds another layer of local memory. The church’s unusual dedication and rare fittings make it a place of quiet interest. Its Grade I status confirms its standing among England’s most important historic churches.