St. Mary's and St. Nicholas' Compton


St. Mary's and St. Nicholas' Church is the parish church for the parish of Compton which is a member of the Hermitage Team.

There is little doubt that a church has stood on this site since the early middle ages, that is to say before the Norman Conquest. It is possible that the chantry of St. Nicholas, once attached to the north side side of the church was older. The first confirmed date comes from the font that dates from the mid 12th century. The tower is a little later.

The tower was originally much lower than present. The upper part of the tower was added in the early 17th century. The tower contains a peal of six bells, cast by Pack & Chapman of London in 1775.

At some point during the reformation; the chantry, now the north aisle was torn down; and a wall between church and chantry built up or strengthened.

In 1849 parts of the building were declared unsafe, the surveyor acting on behalf the diocesan government stated that the whole church east of the tower must be completely rebuilt. The task was entrusted to a local architect, William Brown of Reading, whilst the building contractor was Mr. George Adey of Newbury. The foundation stone for the new building was laid in March 1850 and work completed a year later in March 1851.

The architect copied the style of the original building, reusing materials and preserving objects of merit.



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