Church of St Mary, East Brent

The Church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin stands in the village of East Brent, Somerset, on flat land beside the Somerset Levels. A 15th-century building with a tall west tower and spire added around 1400, it is a Grade I listed structure recognised for its historical importance. Parts of the church date back to 1298, showing layers of medieval craftsmanship. The tower houses a ring of six bells, some cast as early as the 15th century by Bristol founders. Inside, a 15th-century eagle lectern and a 1634 pulpit remain in use. The church is worth visiting for its architectural continuity and notable restorations. In the 19th century, William Butterfield designed a new chancel and installed spiral heating pipes. The tower’s stonework was repaired in the late 1990s using local lias stone to match the original fabric. The bells include an early 15th-century third bell and a 1799 fifth bell by George Davis of Bridgwater. The parish is linked to the Bishop of Wells and shares its ministry with two nearby churches. Visitors find a spacious nave with the eagle lectern standing near the pulpit. The chancel, added by Butterfield, frames the altar with simple Victorian detail. The tower’s spiral heating coils run along the walls, a rare survival from the 19th-century restoration. Outside, the spire rises above the village, visible across the flat landscape. The churchyard contains gravestones that mark local lives over centuries.