Geograph - photograph every grid square

Taunton is a town with a large number of places of worship (I counted at least thirteen in the town centre), including two Anglican churches, St Mary Magdalene and St James the Great, less than 250 metres apart but in separate parishes. St Mary's is the larger of the two, classed as a 'Major Church' for its size and civic significance. It is unusually wide, consisting of a nave with four side aisles

According to the parish website Link there has been a church here since the early eighth century when King Ina established Christianity in Taunton. A stone church was built in the 12th century, Taunton became a separate parish in 1308, but the present building is largely late 15th century. It was restored 1858-62 by Sir George Gilbert Scott and Benjamin Ferrey (including complete rebuilding of the tower).

The Historic England listing (entry 1278073) is surprisingly brief for a grade I church, but Simon Jenkins gives more detail in his 'England's Thousand Best Churches', p.617.

Created: Tue, 27 Jul 2021, Updated: Sun, 9 Jan 2022