This website by
The Friends of St. Andrew's Bemerton
in conjunction with
The George Herbert in Bemerton Group
celebrates the association of our church and locality with George Herbert
Poet and Priest
George Herbert (1593-1633). The distinguished poet, scholar, and priest spent the largest part of his working life in Cambridge, but completed his days here as Rector of this small parish about a mile to the west of Salisbury. Although seemingly destined for high office, a combination of poor health and a change of political wind resulted in a change of direction. He gave up the court life and became a simple country parson, seeking God’s approval rather than man’s. Installed as Rector in 1630, he spent just 3 years here until his death.
Bemerton Church
St. Andrew's Church, Bemerton. The tiny village church dates back to at least the 14th Century. In the past it was a chapel-of-ease to the nearby parish of Fugglestone. However the Rectory house was actually in Bemerton, so it was here that George Herbert lived, died and was buried. The church was restored at Herbert's cost in 1630. It was extensively repaired in 1776, and there were two further restorations in the 19th Century (1866 and 1894-6). Much work is still needed to maintain the fabric of the church.
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