This page covers a brief history of both parish churches. The information has been reproduced by kind permission of Bridget Wheeler and her father who each have produced a more in depth history. Further information can be obtained from the following publications
The history and Antiquities of Somerset 1791 describes the village of Nailsea
as "situated to the west of Flax Bourton, and to the Southwest from Wraxall in
a deep and miry country, in some parts (particularly that called Nailsea Heath
which has the appearance of a disused and neglected forest) thickly tufted with
timber-trees, holly and common briar. The soil abounds with coal, of which there
are four pits within the precincts of (civil) parish. A manufacture of crown
glass plate has lately been established here by Mr John Robert Lucas, of Brisol
, at which a great number of hands are employed, and a range of houses, forming
as it were a small colony, is erected for the habitation of the workmen and
their families. The village of Nailsea, comprising the parish church (Holy
Trinity) lies westward on the skirts of a large moor, to which it gives its
name."
Although one doesn't really like to disagree with what was written in 1791, at
this date the present parishes of Wraxall, Flax Bourton and Nailsea constituted
the one parish of Wraxall. There was no "parish church" or Rector at either Flax
Bourton or Nailsea. They were both known as "Chapelry Districts", and as such
were part of the one parish of Wraxall, under the rector of Wraxall.
In 1811, Nailsea, with Flax Bourton was separated from Wraxall, and in that year
Nailsea became a separate parish, constituted a Rectory, and with Flax Bourton
attached to Nailsea as a "Chapelry". In 1844, a further separation of Flax
Bourton took place, and in 1866 it was also constituted as a Rectory.
In January 1844 the "District Chapelry" of Christ Church, Nailsea was formed,
the district assigned being roughly the same area as the present parish of
Christ Church, Nailsea. For 18 months it remained subject to the superintendence
and control of the incumbent of the Parish Church of Nailsea, but as an Act
which became law on 31st July 1845, this superintendence ceased, and the
incumbent of the "District Chapelry" acquired the sole and exclusive "cure of
souls" within the district.
In 1856, under the Act 19 and 20, Vict.c.104, Christ Church, Nailsea became a
"New Parish", ie a "separate and distinct parish for all ecclesiastical
purposes". By an Act passed in 1868, the incumbents of all such new parishes
were designated Vicars, and their benefices vicarages.
In 1831 the census recorded Nailsea as having a population of 2,114. This number was potentially going to increase with the opening of the Bristol and Exeter railroad passing through part of the parish. Holy Trinity could only hold 360 people (excluding the gallery which was for the use of the Sunday School children). It was proposed to erect a new church near the glasshouses which could hold 400 people. A piece of land was presented by Sir John Smyth with work to commence when sufficient funds were available. The foundation stone of Christ Church was laid on 22nd February 1842 by Thomas Kington of Charlton House, Wraxall. The church was consecrated on Friday April 12st 1843 by the Lord Bishop of Salisbury.
The parish church of Tickenham has the unusual dedication of St. Quiricus &
St Julietta. Julietta was a widow travelling with her three year old son in the
year 304 AD when, in Tarsus, she was recognised as a Christian and arrested and
taken before the Governor Alexander and invited to recant. This she refused to
do and was being tortured for her beliefs while her small son Quiricus was held
on the knee of Alexander. He, Quiricus, however attempted to get to his mother
and in his struggles scratched the face of the Governor. This angered the
Governor and caused him to throw young Quiricus down onto the steps of his
tribune which smashed the boys skull and killed him. Thereupon, Julietta
thanked God for granting martyrdom to her son. A statue depicting the martyrdom
of Quiricus is to be seen in the south parapet of the church tower. On the
eastern parapet of the tower is a statue showing Julietta holding a sword which
is said to be the instrument which finally killed her.
The only similar dedication in this country are at Luxulyan in Cornwall, where
the church is dedicated to St. Cyriac and St. Julietta; also in Cornwall the
parish of Veep is dediatged to St. Ciricus and St. Julietta. There are records
of a chapel at Calstock near Callington, also in Cornwall, dedicated to St.
Cyriacus and Julietta.
Tickenham Church is a little gem of ancient architecture, yet on entering one can feel that this is a well-loved church, beautiful, yet airy and intimate at the same time. It has recently been said of Tickenham Church by a builder who had come to repair the storm-damaged roof that he always enjoyed coming to the Church for its air of calmness and peace, and that there was always the scent of flowers present.
The Church, situated on a rocky outcrop on the upper North Somerset Levels, can be dated definitely to the late 11th century by its early Norman chancel archway (no later than 1100 AD), but the Nave walls may well be of Saxon origin due to their height and narrowness. The north and south aisles were added by the Berkeley family who had purchased the adjacent manor house during the 12th /13th century and their stone effigies lie in the church along the inside north wall. Above them the windows contain ancient glass depicting amongst other things Berkeley Castle and the family coats of arms.
The Lady Chapel, (or Bave Chapel due to the Bave family connections), was added a little later, and the original short tower of the 13th century was heightened in the 15th century. The tower contains a ring of six bells, the oldest being dated 1631.
The south porch, again of 13th century origin contains an ancient stoup for holy water, and on the stone doorway jambs are two consecration crosses. The heavy wooden door is also dated to the 13th century, the stone step being worn into a deep hollow over the centuries.
Inside the church are several early wooden bosses in the Lady Chapel roughly carved with representations of the "Green Man" and animal designs. The pulpit is Jacobean, but has lost its original base and tester. Above the pulpit in the wall is the doorway from the circular stone staircase built into the wall of the Lady Chapel and probably constructed to reach the rood above the chancel arch but taken down at the Reformation. This stairway was opened up when the Victorians renovated the church towards the end of the 19th century, but closed immediately for fear of the chancel arch crumbling due to the weight of stone above it.
The Victorians also removed the deteriorating plaster from the walls of the church at this time revealing the presently much appreciated rough stonework of all shapes and colours of natural stone from the district which gives this church a most endearing quality. The Victorians also fearlessly blasted a boiler house out of the rock under the north aisle at the same time - fortunately no lasting damage to the church was done! At the top of the tower they added pinnacles and four statues representing the story of SSs Quiricus and Julietta, both martyred in the 4th century AD in present day Turkey.
Other surviving ancient glass includes small windows of Christ being crucified on a most unusual green cross, - the design being almost identical to one in Wells Cathedral dated to 1320 and Tickenham's may be a practice example - together with one depicting Christ in Glory.
The church possesses an Early English font, and windows of various styles. The contribution added by the current generation at the millennium is the welcome addition of two modern toilets constructed off the old Vestry!
This is indeed a brief history of Tickenham Church.
We have to keep the church locked unfortunately on recommendations from the police, but in the porch is a telephone number you can ring for an appointment. Alternatively please fill in the form under the section "Contact Us" to order a booklet price £1.
9th September 2007