"Weare Church Somersetshire July 10 1854"
The Church of St Gregory in Weare, Somerset, England dates from the 11th century, although most of the building is from the 15th, and has been designated as a grade I listed building. The tower was built around 1407. It is in four stages with pinnacles and pierced parapet.In the churchyard is a 15th-century cross, and a 19th-century church room.
In 1257 the church was granted to St Augustine's Abbey in Bristol, and after the Dissolution of the Monasteries it was given to its successor institution, the dean and chapter of Bristol Cathedral.The font is older than the building dating from about 1150, while the pulpit is Jacobean. The parish is part of the Crook Peak benefice within the Axbridge deanery. The English comedian Frankie Howerd is buried in the churchyard.
St. Gregory's Church in Weare, Somerset, is an ancient Grade I listed building with origins in the 11th century, though much of its current form dates from the 15th century, holding significant history as a spiritual center for Weare and Lower Weare, transitioning from monastic ownership (St. Augustine's Abbey) to the Dean and Chapter of Bristol Cathedral, and serving as a focal point for community life, including baptisms, marriages, and even housing an old schoolroom.
A church has existed in Weare since earliest times, with its foundation linked to the 11th century, making it over 900 years old. In 1257, the church was granted to St. Augustine's Abbey in Bristol, later passing to Bristol Cathedral after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. While old, the church largely reflects 15th-century construction, a common period for significant rebuilding in English churches.The churchyard contains a notable 15th-century cross and a 19th-century church room, originally built as a schoolroom. St. Gregory's has always been central to village life, hosting key family events and, through the independent "Friends of Weare Church" charity, continues to be maintained for the community.The parish encompasses Weare and Lower Weare, which was historically a trading hub due to its river port, featuring various trades and inns, all centered around this ancient church.
Richard Suter (1797–1883).
Richard Suter was born in Greenwich, Kent on 30th March 1798, to William Suter and his wife Sarah Knights. On 7th January 1825 he married Anne Ruth Burn.
English architect. As Surveyor to The Fishmongers' Company he designed the severe Presbyterian churches for Ballykelly (1825–7) and Banagher (1825) on the Company's Estate in County Londonderry, drawings of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1827. He was also responsible for the Model Farm (1823–4), the Lancasterian Schools (1828–30), the Company Agent's House (1830–2—now a hotel, much altered), a range of houses on the south side of the main road (1823–4), the lodge in the Presbyterian churchyard (1828), and the Dispensary (1829), all at Ballykelly, and all Classical. As Surveyor to Trinity House Corporation, he designed houses that were erected by Thomas Cubitt in 1821–3 on a site adjoining Trinity House. For The Fishmongers' Company he designed St Peter's Almshouses, Wandsworth, London (1849–51), and The Old School-House, Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk(1859), in an Elizabethan style.
On the 1841 Census Richard, an architect and lawyer, can be found living in London with his wife Ann (listed as Ruth) and their two children, Richard George and Andrew Burn. Living with them is Edward D Suter. 1851 finds the family living in Tottenham Court in London, by this time Andrew had left the home, but I am unable to trace him on the 1851 Census. In 1860 Andrew marries Amelia Damaris Harrison. Both Richard George and Andrew were to become ordained ministers, with Andrew later becoming a Bishop and emigrating to New Zealand. Sadly in 1854 Anne Ruth was to pass away. In 1861, widowed Richard, Justice of the Peace for Maidenhead, is living at Castle Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1862 he married Elizabeth Anne Pocock. In 1871 and 1881 Richard and Elizabeth are still living in Castle Hill. Richard was to pass away on 1st March1883.
Richard Suter & Annesley Voysey, architects, had their office at number 35 Fenchurch Street, but they did not have it all to themselves as they shared the premises with W.C. Franks, a tea broker, who will get a separate post some other time. The earliest mention I found of Richard Suter in Fenchurch Street is in 1832 when he is listed at that address in a list of contributing members of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. It says that he had been a member since 1829, but that does not mean he was already at 35 Fenchurch Street in that year.(1) In fact, that seems unlikely as the Sun Fire Office records give Messrs. Short and Co., merchants, as paying the insurance premium on the premises in May 1830. The Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 give the year 1827, but I do not know on what evidence. When Suter and Voysey became partners is also uncertain, but they had known each other since at least 1825 as Suter is named as one of the executors of Voysey’s will which was dated 22 July, 1825. The address given for Suter in the will is Suffolk Street, Southwark. Voysey then lives at Conway Street, Fitzroy Square.