Country England Town or city Doulting | Completed 12th century | |
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Similar The Abbey - Beckington, Church of St Peter and St Pa, Church of St Bartholo, Worlebury Hill, Culbone Church | ||
The Church of St Aldhelm in Doulting, Somerset, England, dates from the 12th century. It is a Grade I listed building.
Map of Church of St Aldhelm, Shepton Mallet, UK
The church has a tall spire rather than the towers which are more usual in Somerset. It has a two-storey porch which incorporates a carving of the Green Man into its vaulting.
The dedication to St Aldhelm is unusual and arises from the 8th century when King Ine of Wessex gave the local estate to Glastonbury Abbey after his nephew Aldhelm died in the village in 709. In his honour the local spring which is the source of the River Sheppey is called St Aldhelm's Well.
The churchyard contains a war grave of a Somerset Light Infantry soldier of World War I.
In August 2007 the churchyard was excavated using a mechanical digger in order to install a septic tank for a toilet in the church. Local residents were outraged when they saw the digger had dug through ancient graves, destroying human remains. The controversy caused locals to stage a protest to voice their objection and attempt to stop the work from taking place.