God has been worshipped in this church for centuries. Here Christians have been drawn close to God week by week, as well as in times of joy and sadness.

The dedication of this beautiful little parish church to St. Bridget who died in AD 525 predates the present building to a time years ago when many of the local churches were named after Celtic saints. St. Bridget herself was the co-patron Saint of Ireland with St. Patrick and was the Abbess of Kildare nunnery. She is sometimes referred to as St. Brigid or St. Bride and is the Patron Saint of poets, blacksmiths, healers and dairy farmers, amongst others.

The manor of Chelvey was mentioned in the Domesday Book and ‘Chelvey’ itself is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘calf farm’.

This brief guide picks out some of the more interesting features of the church. It has strong connections with the Tynte family, the Lords of the Manor in the 17th century at Tynte Place, the forerunner of the present house, Tyntesfield.

The tower, which has caused concern of late, is not of the North Somerset heritage but has been called on of the smaller gems of the West Mendip group of towers which stretch across this part of the country.

A walk around St. Bridget’s…

1. The South Porch and Norman Doorway

   The earliest part of the present church dates from circa 1150 and is the South nave door and doorway. The porch leading to the door is later and owes its large size to the custom of betrothal in the Middle Ages e.g. The Wife of Bath in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. There is a small Norman window and holy water stoup in the porch.

2. Mediaeval Pews

   These date from the fourteenth century and are similar to those found locally in Clapton-in-Gordano or Mark. The pews in the Tynte Chapel are later, probably 17th century.

3. The Tower

   The tower dates from the 15th century, probably circa 1490. Originally it was built outside the nave and joined into the existing building at a later time. It is a baby aristocrat of the famous West Mendip group of towers and for virtually all of its 500 year life was rendered until the rendering was removed in 1956. Water penetration has led to the self-evident problems internally. The lone bell in the belfry is dated “1738” and can now only be chimed.

4. The Font

   A Norman font dating from circa 1150 which was altered in the 13th century by having the square corners cut off to form an octagon.

5. St. Bridget’s Cross

   The cross shown framed on the North wall of the nave is the straw cross of St. Bridget.

6. The Hour Glass

   Dates from Puritan times when such hour glasses were a common feature. The pulpit is relatively modern. (The original hour-glass was stolen and a replica donated to replace it).

7. Wall Painting

   Fragments of wall painting have been uncovered an appear to show part of a consecration cross, probably dating from the 13th century.

8. The Altar and Chancel

   A blocked doorway in the wall behind the pulpit led to the rood loft above the rood screen, which divided the chancel from the nave. As in many churches, these were destroyed in 17th century. The East window has some old glass in it. The surround to reredos dates from 16th century.

9. The Knight

   Incised on a slab in the floor of the Tynte Chapel is the effigy of an armed man with flowing hair. It can be dated about 1300 and is reputed to be the oldest memorial of its kind in the county. It was moved here from another Church when the Tynte Chapel was added in 17th century.

10. The Family Pew

    The fine carved family pew which dates from 1600 is a gem. It was used by the Tynte family, one time lords of the manor. (The family name connects with Tyntesfield).

11. Churchyard Cross

    The churchyard cross by the South porch served as a memorial to the dead until headstones were introduced after the Reformation in the 16th century. There are several interesting headstones, one of which dates back to 1683.

    Acknowledgements

    The above text is closely based on the brief guide kindly put together by Sir Paul Britton in 2020, reproduced with permission.