St. Andrew's Church in the village of Curry Rivel in South Somerset. A fine example of the Somersetshire Perpendicular style.

At this time of year I thought posting about notable churches in South Somerset might be appropriate!  This is the second such posting.

The South Somerset village of Curry Rivel is about 3 miles south-west of Langport where it sprawls around the junction of the A378, which forms the high street, and B3168.  A free car park is signposted off the main road, but although it seems very well used I have always been able to find a space.  It is then just a short walk up to the village square and the Church of St Andrew, a fine example of the Somersetshire Perpendicular style.  On the high street the village has an extremely well kept war memorial which is well worth paying a respectful visit.

St. Andrew's Church in the village of Curry Rivel,

South Somerset.

Paul Newman writes in his Somerset Villages (Robert Hale Limited, 1986): “The parish church of St Andrew’s is fifteenth-century Perpendicular and built of blue lias with Hamstone dressing, overlooking the square, perhaps the most attractive part of the village.  Its north chapel has a large tomb thought to contain the bones of Sabina Revel (d.  1254), wife of Henry de Lorty.  She was the last of the great family from whom the village takes its name and the likely builder of the chapel.  . . .  If Rivel has a clear-cut explanation, what of the prefix Curry?  The Domesday Book states that ‘the King holds Curri’, and the derivation appears to be Celtic, allegedly from a hermit who lived and did good works hereabout, St Currig.”