Welcome to St. Bartholomew's Church, Failand

St Bartholomew's Church was built in the year 1887 by Richard Vaughan. When the idea of building a church in Lower Failand was conceived, it was at the time when a new road from Bristol to Clevedon was being planned. Naturally Vaughan thought that the new road would come right alongside the church. But when it was built the road by-passed Lower Failand so the traffic and the new houses did not come near the church.

Richard Vaughan very generously gave the church to the Parish of Wraxall with Failand for the people of Failand to worship in. Unfortunately he never had it registered as a church, so when somebody wanted to get married in St. Bartholomew's the Registrar said "Sorry, there isn't a church at Failand, just a chapel." Later the building was registered as a church and the first wedding recorded took place on 8th December 1920.

The church is constructed of local limestone with the style based on the Gothic period. It can accommodate about 200 people, and comprises a broad and spacious nave, with a lofty open roof, raised chancel and wide short transepts. At the west end is the font and Great window of stained or tinted glass.

The organ, situated in the North transept, was originally a one-keyboard instrument belonging to Tyntesfield private chapel. It is assumed that the organ was installed when the church was built. The organ was built by J. Squire of London, a reputable firm of that day. As time went by a second manual was added to the organ, which is still considered to be a fine instrument.

The choir stalls are situated below the chancel, west of the stone screen, and unusual for a church. The choir vestry is on the north of the chancel. The pulpit is built of stone and marble with brass candlesticks either side of the pulpit "fall".

The lectern is of carved oak, depicting an angel with spread wings. This was given in memory of Edward Fry whose body now lies within the churchyard. The nave pews and the choir stalls are made of oak. The East Gable (just above the Altar) comprises a stained or tinted glass window depicting the Saviour knocking at a closed door. Around this are roses.

The reredos contains six inscriptions:

"Dear Dying Lamb! Thy precious blood shall never lose its power 'till all the ransomed Church of God be saved, to sin no more."

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?"

"Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity!"

"Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art Holy: there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in Power, in love, and Purity!"

"The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"

"Jesus is worthy to receive Honour and Power divine. And blessings more than we can give, be, Lord, for ever Thine."

Upon the North wall in the chancel lays a metal plate with the following inscription:

"To the Glory of God and to the beloved memory of Richard Vaughan of Elmes Place, Bath; Born A.D. 2nd February 1803 - entered into rest 26th July 1893. By whom this church was founded and given to the Rectory of Wraxall for the worship of Almighty God according to the use of the Church of England, and for the benefit of the inhabitants of Failand with the Parish of Wraxall for ever, in the year of our Lord, 1887."

"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will still be praising Thee - Psalm LXXXIV 4."

Half-way down the Church on the North wall lays another inscription, this time to those brave people who gave their lives in the 1914-1918 War. This is in brass.

The font is octagonal and is made of "Bathstone" and carved with Evangelistic emblems and a sacred monogram. The screen separating the South Transept from the nave was erected in memory of Alfred and Georgina Maxwell Brittan of Failand Hill. An inscription to them is carved along the lower part of the screen.

The South Transept, used as the Rector's Vestry was originally intended as a chapel and this became a reality in the centenary year of 1987 when over £10,000 was raised within about twelve months to enable the conversion to be made. This has become the Pilgrim's Chapel and is used for smaller services and quiet devotion.

The Pilgrim's Chapel also provides a suitable setting for a fine tapestry depicting Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The tapestry was designed and embroidered by Mr. Edwin Hayes of Capel Curig, Snowdonia. It took 9 years to make and contains 60 animals, including a mouse. As a boy Edwin was ill, and to keep him occupied, his mother bought him a tapestry to embroider; this interest continued for the rest of his life. Edwin Hayes was a bachelor and a friend of Robert Owen. These two, together with Cyril Cox, Len Ellis and Ray Williams, spent some time together each October walking in the mountains of Snowdonia.

A stone broach spire crowns the tower and rises to a total height of 120ft. The spire can be clearly seen from the bridge crossing the Avon on the M5 Motorway.

When Richard Vaughan built the church he envisaged a statue of St. Bartholomew being placed in the niche just above the entrance. One hundred years later, a small number of private donations enabled his original intention to be fulfilled.

The church is in the parish of Wraxall with Failand and the Rector resides at Wraxall.