Bridgwater -St Mary

Bridgwater is a historic market town with a population of about 41.000

Bridgwater is mentioned both in the Domesday Book and in the earlier Anglo-Saxon Chronicle dating from around 800. William Briwere was granted the lordship of the Manor of Bridgwater by King John in 1201 and founded Bridgwater Friary. Through Briwere's influence, King John granted three charters: for the construction of Bridgwater Castle, for the creation of a borough, and for a market.
There is evidence of a church at the time of the Norman Conquest. The first mention of a church on the present site dates from 1107, when the church revenues were awarded to the Priory of Bath.

Rebuilding of the church in the early Gothic style began in 1209. The architect was William Briwere. In the early 14th century the church was extended to the west, side aisles were added to the nave and a west tower was completed. The tower must have been completed by 1318. In 1367 construction of a tower began. The construction of the tower required the addition of massive corner piers to the tower to support it.


The chancel was rebuilt in the late 14th century and in the first half of the 15th century. This was followed by the remodelling of the nave from 1420 to 1430, during which some of the early Gothic work from the previous nave was integrated. The Chapel of St Mary was rebuilt from 1447 to 1448.