St Nicholas Church, Brockley Coombe

St Nicholas Church, Brockley Coombe

St Nicholas' Church, Brockley

This church dates back to the 12th Century and is currently a grade II listed building and registered with the Church Conservation Trust. It gained this status on the 1st April 1989.

It is therefore a church of the Norman Period, with a pinnacled style tower constructed around the 15th Century. The font is Norman and the stone pulpit dates from around 1480.

The Pigott Family - famous in the area, invested heavily in the Church and gave it a complete overhaul in 1820. The Pigott family originally were of Irish descent where they had originally been granted lands and the estate of Dysart in 1562. Family connections through a wife saw the Pigott family gain the manor of Brockley, In 1683, one of the Pigott's gained the title of Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset as a reward for seeking out the disaffected peoples of Taunton. He, however, lost this commission in 1688 for refusing to agree with the repeal of the Test Act and Penal Laws. Reinstated again in 1691 he declined to act with the Bridgwater Militia on account of his connections to Ireland.

In 1702, supported by family connections from Lord  Poulett, the Pigott family gained a Knightship of Somerset. Thus set up the Pigott family with their many influential contacts around the County.

In 1842 a Royal Coat of Arms by William Edkins was installed at the church.