St Nicholas Church, Bathampton

History

The Church Building

The building is of Norman foundation and there has been a place of Christian Worship here for over seven hundred and fifty years. There are signs of Norman work in the Chancel and the Tower is in part prior to the seventeenth century. (In 1348, during the Black Death, there were four incumbents in the space of a few months!)

The present fabric began in the eighteenth century with the arrival of Ralph Allen who acquired Bathampton Manor by marriage in 1731 and largely rebuilt the church in about 1750. Ralph Allen is famous in the area for developing national postal services, and he is buried in Claverton Churchyard.

The Allen reconstruction of the church remained unchanged for about 100 years, when in 1858 alterations were made. Other modifications were made in 1879, 1882, 1970, and 1979. Extensions of the premises, including the Miller Room were made in 1993.

Australia Chapel

Captain Arthur Phillip landed in Australia in January 1788 at a site he named as Sydney in honour of Lord Sydney, and he was officially appointed Governor-in-Chief of New South Wales on 7 February 1788. When he retired he lived in Bathampton and Bath where he died in 1814. It was not until the year 1897 that any real interest in his achievement started, and the discovery of his grave in the church led to a more worthy memorial. In 1974 the Australia Chapel was constructed with donations from the Federal and State Governments of Australia, organisations and individuals. The floor is of Australian Wombeyan Marble and the memorial screen made of Australian Blackbean wood. The windows of the sanctuary carry the coat of arms of the Federal Government and the six Australian States. The Kneelers were given by Tasmania. In recent years, the High Commissioner for Australia performs an annual wreath laying ceremony on 11 October, the date of Arthur Phillip’s birth. Photo of Governor Arthur Phillip Memorial