England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Stogursey St Andrew

The Parish

The parish of Stogursey lies on the northern coast of Somerset's western extension, forming part of the coastline with the Bristol Channel. Stogursey is located about 8 miles northwest of the port & market town of Bridgwater and sits, in lanes, about 2 miles north of the A39 which connects Bridgwater with Minehead. Whilst it is a coastal parish Stogursey, itself, is some 2 miles from that coast. The unusual name of the village comes from the local dialect shortening of its former name, Stoke Courcy. Stogursey has a long history with a Benedictine Priory founded in the village soon after the Conquest. Stogursey would have largely earned its income from farming, the local dairy cattle producing rich milk from the lush coastal pastures. Modern developments dominate the coast of the parish, Hinkley Point nuclear power station forming a major local employer as well as something of a debatable asset to the coastline. Stogursey is drained by the Stogursey Brook which wanders through the village and within a couple of miles exits into the Bristol Channel. Stogursey is sited at around 30 metres above the sea and sits on a relatively gentle piece of the countryside with local heights reaching to almost 100 metres on Pinnacle Hill to the south. Stogursey parish was large for its county, covering almost 5,900 acres it was more typical of an upland northern parish in extent, the parish would have supported a population of around 1,500 parishioners spread around the area which included the smaller settlements of, in particular, Burton & Shurton as well as within Stogursey itself. In Domesday times Stogursey was in the hands of William de Falaise, the founder of that aforementioned priory, a wealthy parish Stogursey could offer 14 ploughs, meadows, pasture & woodland and also possessed a mill.

The Church

St Andrew's church sits at the eastern approaches to the village as one comes from Cannington. The church has its origins as the priory church to the Benedictines and the layout with central tower is indicative of this early origin. The staggered apses, three in total, is a design familiar from Normandy and it is likely that Norman architects from the Caen area were involved in the construction. Much remains of Early Norman Romanesque style albeit, as one would expect, much altered over the centuries. The first major change was the late 12th century extension of the chancel which can be dated from its style to c1180. The nave dates principally from the great church-building era of the Perpendicular and was the result of necessary changes required to meet the church's parochial role. Also from this date come the chancel aisles and southern doorway. The crossing tower, Early Norman in origin, was enhanced in the 19th century when the bell opening were enlarged and the recessed spire with its slate covering was added. As one arrives from the east the church's eastern end sits ahead of you with a small parking area in front a set of railings, the church is tight to this eastern boundary. The churchyard has a few trees to restrict the angles available for photography.