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St Bartholomew's Church

parish church of St. Bartholomew

The Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church (and Naval Cemetery) is open to the Public Daily from 14.00 – 16.00 and for family Eucharist (Sundays at 10.30). The Naval cemetery is open every day from sunrise to sunset. However, on occasions the church may be closed without prior notice. It is located at Yeovilton near the Museum.

If you are making a special visit, you are advised to telephone in advance to avoid disappointment. Tel: 01935 455257 or 01935 841471.

Please note St Barts will be closed between the 1st August - 23rd August, except for the 10.30am Sunday services.

The Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm at Yeovilton) has enjoyed a close friendship with the parish church of St. Bartholomew; this began in 1940 with the commissioning of RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron). During 1940-42 fifteen victims of air accidents were buried in the churchyard before the opening of the Naval Cemetery on its southern boundary in 1942. In 1988, much of the church structure having become unsafe, it was made redundant. It was then that the often discussed idea of using St. Bartholomew's as the Anglican Church for RNAS Yeovilton was put into action. The Royal Navy seized the opportunity and bought the 'job-lot' for 1. This triggered a series of national and international appeals to restore the church to its former glory under the guardianship of the newly formed Trustees. An Order in Council signed by the Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother formally sealed this process. St. Bart's, (as it has come to be affectionately known) passed from the local Diocese of Bath and Wells to assume the mantle of the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Chapel - effectively a private chapel housing the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Record Book and fitting focal point for those lost in conflict and other events. On 11 November 1993, after much restoration work, it was dedicated for use as such. Its appeal is world-wide and many visitors are struck by the beauty and upkeep of the place.

St. Bart's has captured the imagination of many and it remains a gem of a place. For the bereaved it is a place of focus. It is also a place to celebrate the constant flow of baptisms and weddings but more than that it has an extraordinary sense of the Holy, and that is what draws so many people back.

The following items are worth of note:

In the Chancel:

Plan

On the south side is a 14th century piscina (1) with a compound drain supported by a grotesque figure. The carved heads (2) on the north and south walls were probably used to support a Lenten veil. On the south side, in the now sealed priest’s door is a small oven (3) with external chimney used for baking the communion bread. The coloured glass in the east window (4) dates from the second half of the 15th century and shows the initials and insignia of Richard Swanne. 

In the Nave:

On the North wall can be seen the sealed upper and lower doors (5) of a staircase giving access to the Rood Screen which once stood across the east end of the nave. The octagonal font (6) by the North entrance is 15th Century. The wagon roof, restored in 1871 and again in 1992/3 retains some original richly carved bosses. The west window (7) contains some coloured glass from the 15th century showing the arms of Bishop Beckyngton (1443-65). The west door is thought to be 16th century.

Outside:

On the tower there are several gargoyle heads, a holy water stoup (9) by the west door and an empty niche on the north side which probably housed a statue of the patron saint. On the north wall of the nave note the wall bulge (10) to accommodate the rood screen staircase. On the east wall over the window is a carved head (11) probably the Virgin Mary. On the south wall note the carved head (12) accommodating the chimney for the bread oven, and in the south chapel wall the inset stones from the first Norman church (13).

Contact the Curator on +44 (0) 1935 841471.