The earliest mention of the village of Bishop's Hull is found in the Codex diplomaticus aevi Saxonici of 750 AD where it is called "Hylle". In the Domesday Book of 1086 it appears as "Hilla" and in 1225 it is mentioned as "Hulle". The Assize Roll of 1327 calls it "Hulle Episcopi" - the hill belonging to the bishop. This was the Bishop of Winchester who had purchased the manor (administrative area) of Taunton Deane in 904 AD. In 1120 Bishop Gifford of Winchester transferred the tithes to Taunton Priory, subject to an annual payment to the parish priest of "Hill Bishoppes" which then became one of the abbey's endowments. The stipend was to be £6 13s 4d; it was still recorded as £6 in 1535.
The earliest part of the present church - the base of the tower - dates back to the 12^th century. The octagonal upper part of the tower dates from the 13^th century and is believed to be in the shape of a weaver's shuttle, reflecting the importance of the weaving industry at the time and possibly that it was a gift of the local weavers.

In 1308 the Bishop of Bath and Wells ordered the Prior to appoint a secular priest on a separate stipend to live and serve in Bishop's Hull. Previously services would have been taken by a canon from the priory. Permanent accommodation for the priest does not appear to have been provided until 1447/8 when the churchwardens paid 20 pence and an annual rent of one penny for a piece of land for a church house.

The church originally consisted of a nave with north and south aisles, side chapels and tower. The side chapels may have been chantries (endowed for priests to say masses for the soul of the founder). In 1449 Robert Cole directed that his body be buried in the churchyard of the Apostles St Peter and Paul of the Priory of Taunton: to Sir Geoffrey, Chaplain of Hull, 2s 6d to celebrate for my soul and the soul of Agnes my wife - to the said Sir Geoffrey 6d for tithes forgotten.
In the first half of the 16^th century the church underwent a major refurbishment. In 1522 the Prior of Taunton employed a Taunton mason, John Bird, to build a new chancel. The operative mason and designer was John Denman who competed for the contract with Richard Pytt and John Gyll. The date of 1530 on a scroll held by a small angel on the east wall of the north chapel may indicate that the chapel was rebuilt at the same time and this was the date the works were completed. The oak benches with carved bench ends may have been installed as part of this refurbishment or towards the end of the century when further work is attested by an entry in the 1597churchwardens' accounts: "payd to the hillier [a tiler] more for mendinge of the church and 2 illes - 6d".

In 1538 when Richard Duddridge, the reeve (chief magistrate) belonging to Taunton Priory, was buried "in the holy sepulchre of Petr and Pawle nigh Taunton", he left a benefaction to "Hilbushoppes Church". A year later the Priory was dissolved and ownership of the church passed to the Crown. It appears to have been granted to the Farewells who owned the Great House or Manor in Bishop's Hull and had strong connections with the church, as is attested by the fine effigy and memorial in the church. Their own house was completed in 1538, so some of the construction work for both buildings may have been contemporary; there are certainly similarities in the stonework.

About 1550 the first of the church's present six bells was cast by Roger Semson of Ash Priors.

In the late 16th century several cases were heard in the court of the Bishop of Wells.

The parish registers of 1642-1645 show the burial of 16 soldiers during the Civil War.

During the Protectorate 41 inhabitants of Bishop's Hull petitioned Oliver Cromwell on behalf of their minister Nathaniel Charlton: "Being almost past hope of having a godly, able minister settled among us, our means being only 20 nobles a year, we recommend to you Nathaniel Charlton our present minister who is holy, useful and well affected even to blood and imprisonment. We also have our goods plundered and our houses burned and we are 500 or 600. Some years ago Mr Charlton had £50 a year granted him from St John Stowell's parsonage but received nothing, they being overcharged. We beg the settlement elsewhere." The minister pursued his calling until the Restoration when, refusing to use the public liturgy, he was removed from his living in 1662. He became minister of the village's first dissenting congregation, now the United Reformed Church.

The Visitation Return of 1815 records that the "perpetual curate" Richard Codrington resided at Milverton because there was no parsonage house in Bishop's Hull which then had a population of 844. He also served the parish of Staplegrove, saying prayers and giving a sermon each Sunday alternately morning and evening. The annual value of the living was about £110. Patronage of the living of Bishop's Hull appears to have passed from the Priory to the Crown and thence to the Farewells, Edmund Downyne and Peter Assheton, the Raban family and, from 1968, the Archdeacon of Taunton.

Our History & Heritage

The story of our building, our parish, and our people

For centuries, this sacred space has adapted to meet the needs of our growing congregation and community. Here is a look at how our building has evolved from 1827 to the present day.

The Changing Face of Our Church

1827 – A Season of Rapid Growth

Driven by a population boom on the Taunton side of the parish and the immense popularity of the parish preacher, the church underwent a massive expansion to double the width of the nave. The original arcade between the nave and south aisle was dismantled, and the south wall was moved outward, carefully incorporating the two original windows. A new, flat-pitched roof with internal scissor-supporting beams was installed beneath a fresh plaster ceiling.

To accommodate the growing congregation, galleries were erected on the north, south, and west walls. While the north and south galleries were eventually removed in the 1920s, the west balcony remains today, accessible by an internal wooden staircase and an external stone one.

Historical Note: During this massive overhaul, the original oak benches were replaced with deal box pews, and the ancient rood screen was sadly destroyed. Today, only fragments of the screen survive, preserved beautifully within two kneeling stools (including one in the clergy stall) and as panels in the pulpit.

1949–1952 – Renewal & Modernization

The mid-20th century brought essential updates. In 1949, John Hall of Bristol completely renewed the west windows of the nave, and the historic 1688 bell was recast by Mears and Stainbank. Just a few years later, between 1951 and 1952, the church entered the modern era with the installation of electric lighting.

1950s–1960s – Structural Foundations & The North Chapel

Substantial structural works became urgent when the foundations of the west porch and north chapel began to fail. Both were completely rebuilt on secure new foundations—the entrance porch in 1956 and the north chapel in 1960.

The delicate work of partially demolishing and rebuilding the chapel was undertaken by Frederick Bird and Sons of Curry Rivel, while the east window was meticulously reassembled by John Hall of Bristol. The chapel's complete restoration was finished in 1968, dedicated to the memory of Bessie May Harris of the Manor.

1956–1967 – Transforming the Church Grounds

The exterior of the church saw dramatic changes during this era. The forecourt was remodelled in 1956, and the imposing boundary wall was lowered in 1961 to create a more open, welcoming view.

In 1966, a new vicarage was constructed. The following year, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) purchased and demolished the old vicarage, beautifully transforming the south side of the church into a much-needed church hall and car park. This was enclosed by a new boundary wall and elegant wrought iron gates, designed to mirror the arches of our main porch.

1993–1994 – Hidden History Discovered

When the centre of the nave floor began to collapse, it was replaced with the wooden flooring we see today. During the excavations, contractors discovered several 17th-century gravestones hidden beneath the old floor. This restoration also prompted a layout change: the central pews were replaced with flexible seating chairs, and the main altar, pulpit, and font were moved to their current, more accessible positions.

2012 – A New Space for Worship

Following expert advice, our pipe organ was carefully decommissioned and sent to a professional restoration company. It was destined for a new life, intended to be rebuilt and transferred to a church in Eastern Europe.

The removal of the organ beautifully opened up the North Chapel. Today, this bright, versatile area has become a vibrant hub for church life, regularly hosting Midweek Communions, Quiet Days, and Prayer Ministry activities.

2023 – Welcoming "The Bridge"

Following extensive community consultation, the church entrance was majorly remodelled and extended to create The Bridge. This wonderfully warm, bright, and welcoming space provides modern facilities for small groups, meetings, and training courses. It features a fully accessible toilet and a hospitality kitchenette for serving refreshments after services and events.

Looking to the Future: Our Current Building Project

Following a recent Quinquennial Inspection, we have launched a brand-new building project. Works are currently underway to replace and improve our entire guttering and drainage system, alongside urgent repairs to our historic stonework and roof.

Our beautiful church building remains in excellent condition—and with your support, we intend to keep it that way for generations to come!