St George's Church

C13

C15 alterations

EXTERIOR: The outside is mostly Victorian, but a little long-and-short work in the west wall south of the tower is evidence that the west end of the nave incorporates some remains of a Saxon chapel.

The western piers are C14 or C15 century, with reset C13 responds against the west wall.

Pulpit by J.H. Spencer, 1907

green and grey marbles, with gilded mosaic figure panels.

Carved and painted Royal arms dated 1787.

Stained glass: in the north aisle west window, two small pieces of armorial enamelled glass, the date 1674 now illegible.

HISTORY: A Saxon chapel was established near a well called Fons George.

Only c. ½ mile south-west of Taunton, Wilton (well-tun) was an early endowment of Taunton Priory, and was served by the vicar of St Mary from 1308.

Medieval changes were subsumed by enlargement of the east end in 1837-8, by which time Wilton was absorbed into Taunton.

Obituary of J.H. Spencer, Proceedings, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Soc., REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: St George's Church, Fons George, Wilton is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * The continuity of religious worship on this site for perhaps 1000 years is represented by small Saxon, Early English and Perpendicular remains within a largely C19 structure * The church remains an important landmark and focus for this former village on the outskirts of the town centre * The C19 rebuildings are important for understanding the work of two good minor local architects * The largely Victorian fittings include some pieces by nationally important names