St Andrew's Church, Chew Stoke

The Anglican St Andrew's Church is on the outskirts of Chew Stoke, within the English county of Somerset.

The tower remains largely unchanged, but the main body underwent extensive Victorian restoration and the addition of the north isle in 1862.

Its top is surmounted by a paneled parapet and an ornate crown with an elaborate spirelet over the stair turret, with two tiers of arcading.

Supplies of the tin and copper used to make bell metal were probably obtained from brass foundries in Kelston and Bristol.

The metal was melted in a wood-burning furnace to over 1,500 °C (2,732 °F) and then poured into a mould made from loam, or foundry mud, from the River Chew.

[9] There is also a stained glass window showing a saint with a sword standing on a snake and crossed flags, commemorating those from World War II.

The window in the tower was donated by a London goldsmith named Mattheson to commemorate the rebuilding of the church in 1863.

One of the altars has, in the past, been dedicated to Wilgefortis a female saint of popular religious imagination whose legend arose in the 14th century, and whose distinguishing feature is a large beard.

[14] The churchyard gate, at the southeast entrance, bears a lamp which was provided by public subscription to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee of 1897, itself a Grade II listed structure.

The building has an ornate south front with carvings of shields bearing the coat of arms of the St Loe family, who were once chief landowners in the area, alone or impaled with arms of Fitzpane, Ancell, de la Rivere and Malet.

[18] The parish is within the Benefice of Chew Stoke with Nempnett Thrubwell and forms part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Bilie Bell at the back of the church
Female stone sculpture holding an anchor, in the porch
The Old Rectory, south front with carvings of shields
The new rectory