In 1852 the controversial priest William James Early Bennett was appointed as the vicar and undertook major changes both in the organisation of the parish and the fabric of the church.

[3] Following the removal of stained glass in 1643 as ordered by the Puritans there followed a period of neglect of the fabric and by the early nineteenth century the church was in need of restoration work.

When the South Aisle was being rebuilt in the 1860's stonework interpreted as foundations of arcades and possible Saxon interments were found, but these were quickly covered so the rebuilding was not delayed.

Bennett is celebrated for having provoked the decision that the doctrine of the Real Presence is a dogma not inconsistent with the creed of the Church of England.

As a leading member of the Oxford Movement he had served as priest at various churches in London including St Barnabas, Pimlico which he resigned in 1851, following doctrinal complaints and a theological dispute with his bishop, Charles Blomfield - after being accused of ritualism.

[6] Bennett's publication The Old Church Porch (1854–1862), issued at Frome, formed a prototype for the first parish magazine,[7] although its format was rather academic in parts.

Medallions set in the spandrels of the nave arches were inspired by Donatello's similar work that Vicar Bennet had seen in the Old Sacristy at Florence during his excursion into Europe in 1851.

[5] Fragments of Norman work are left including carved stones at the base of the tower and parts of the arch into the Lady Chapel.

[5] The font was recovered in the nineteenth century from under the floor at the West end of the church and restored, at first in the middle of the nave and then moved by Bennet to the Chapel of St Nicholas which became the baptistry.

There are brass gates to the Chancel and a forged metal screen to the Lady Chapel, complete with gas lamp feature, both locally manufactured by John Webb Singer.

The final representations as you climb the steps towards the church are of Christ being nailed to the cross and then his death, which is displayed on the gable of the north porch.

[20] The screen and gates at the entrance to the forecourt of the church was built in 1814 by Jeffrey Wyatt[21] at the time when Bath Street was cut as a new road.