Why not visit this most ancient and delightful Norman church - part of our national heritage? You will be rewarded with delightful views from the churchyard and the nearby windmill tower observation point. See also Our Village | History page Open daily Whitsun to October. The church is scheduled for redecoration in spring 2002. There may be times when the church has to be closed to the public. We apologise for any inconvenience. Closures will be minimised. Services Annual communion service 2nd sunday in July 8.15am Holiday Half Hour Sunday afternoon services in August at 3.00pm A Historic Site, used from prehistoric Stone Age times, a place of holy ground. Used for Christian Worship since about AD350.

How is your knowledge of History?

• Where did the first known historian of Britain write his History of Britain?
• What was his name? Where did he live? What was his profession?
• An important port thrived below the church in years past. Find out why.
• Did King Alfred the Great worship here in Uphill? Why?
• Find the answers to these questions and more!

Why did pilgrims visit this church and where were they going?

There is much to see if you look. This present church is to oldest in the area. It is Norman and dates from AD1080 and retains many of its original features. Mediaeval and Victorian additions and features such as scratch sundials on the South Wall, interesting gargoyles and carvings, doorways and windows of several periods, and a peal of six working bells make this an interesting building.

See a photograph of the church as it was 140 years ago, and see how it has been modified since. Learn some of its history in an exhibition in the church.

Enjoy a short period of calm in the quiet peace of this ancient place of prayer and worship. 
Leave your mark; sign your name in the Visitor Book! 

Modestly priced post cards and guidebooks describing the history of the church, the village, and the surrounding area, and the role of the church here, are on sale.

If you wish to know more about the Old Church at Uphill, see our History page.

Introduction

The Old Church is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust (formerly known as The Redundant Churches Fund). It endeavours to keep the church open to the public for as much of the year as possible.

Due to local conditions for physical access it is not possible to open it throughout the winter.  Subject to weather and underfoot conditions on the hill the church will be open during daylight hours as follows:

·        Over the Easter holiday period,

·        Daily from Whit Sunday through to end of October.

Reaching the Old Church

Access to the church is only by foot via one of the following three routes:

(1)        By footpath from the “kissing gate” at the foot of the hill on Uphill Way opposite Ynishir Terrace (next to the Dolphin Public House).

(2)        By “Folly Lane” footpath adjacent the residential caravan site at the eastern end of Uphill Way.

(3)               From the Tidal Trail that runs from the Boatyard (at the Western end of Uphill Way), through the quarry and via a gate onto the back of the hill. A track to the left goes back over the hill by a less steep (but longer) route to the 14^th century windmill tower then back to the church.

The last is a most delightful route to take in spring or early summer when the wild flowers and butterflies are emerging.  At various times the hill is populated by cowslips, daisies, orchids, and many other wild flowers. The hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a local Nature Reserve with many wild animals, birds, flowers, and insects. 

Maps of the hill area are located beside the gate onto the hill from Uphill Way opposite Yinisher Terrace and at the entrance to the quarry by the boatyard.

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The Old Church is maintained day-to-day by a small group of volunteers. They open and close and clean the church. They also supply, arrange, and tend the flowers, maintain stocks of books and postcards, etc. for sale in the church. 

Churches Conservation Trust Staff (www.visitchurches.org.uk)

Local Field Officer                                    Neil Skelton.

Conservation Officer                                 Miss Wendy Drummer

Church Architect                                      Mariane Suhr

Hon. Custodian                                        A F (Ted) Warren

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Churches Conservation Trust

The responsibility for general management, maintenance and repairs to the fabric of the church are undertaken is invested in the Churches Conservation Trust. 

The Trust is funded partly by grants from the state and partly by public donations and bequests.  The maintenance of the Old Church has involved the Trust in considerable expense in recent years with essential conservation work and all the external masonry being completely re-pointed. 

The structural survey of 2001 revealed minor defects requiring remedial action.  This is to be undertaken in 2002. Following the structural renovation, the interior shortly is due to be restored and redecorated. This will involve further specialist conservation work and major expense. Hopefully it will then be good for many years to come.

Donations towards the upkeep of the church will be gratefully received.

While on the hill why not visit the Tower and see the surrounding area?  The derelict 14^th century windmill was converted to a Mortello Tower at the start of the Napoleonic wars. It remained in military use until 1952 when the Royal Observer Corps finally abandoned it.  More recently is was converted by the Village Society and the Weston-super-Mare Civic Society to a viewpoint with an internal spiral staircase and illustrative plaques set on the castellations to indicate distant points of interest. On a fine day the views from the tower are magnificent.

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