A dramatic sinkhole-like collapse in the historic churchyard of All Saints Church in Martock, Somerset, has uncovered a 300-year-old family vault housing the remains of seven Lewis family members, including Rev. Charles Lewis and his wife. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 8, during Remembrance Sunday services, revealed the underground vault, which had been sealed once all the family members were laid to rest.
Rev. Paul Fillery, the church official, explained that the collapse was due to a structural failure, not natural causes such as rainfall or soil erosion. He described the event as ‘incredibly rare’ given the number of box tombs present in the churchyard, with the others remaining intact. The vault, crafted from locally mined hamstone and featuring stone shelves for each family member’s coffin, was sealed once all the family members were laid to rest. The ornate box tomb, placed above the ground as a ‘very grand gravestone,’ was then constructed.
Fillery noted that the remains within the vault were undisturbed, and that someone had previously recorded all the graves and their inscriptions. The vault contained the remains of Rev. Charles Lewis, a local church leader who died in the mid-18th century, as well as his wife and five other adult family members. Two children, one who died at age 6 and another who died as an infant, were also buried in the vault. The church is now working to repair and restore the tomb and the vault, which will cost tens of thousands of pounds. Fillery emphasized the importance of honoring the family’s resting place with proper restoration and a brief memorial service, which he proposed to hold at the grave site.
The church is also accepting donations for the restoration efforts, highlighting the community’s support and the cultural significance of the site. The incident has drawn attention to the fragility of historical structures and the need for ongoing preservation efforts. The discovery has also sparked interest among archaeologists and history enthusiasts, underscoring the importance of safeguarding such landmarks for future generations.