A dramatic sinkhole collapse at All Saints Church in Martock, Somerset, on November 8 revealed a 300-year-old family vault containing the remains of Rev. Charles Lewis and his family. The incident, which occurred on the weekend of Remembrance Sunday, exposed the underground vault in the church’s grass-covered yard, with pictures showing the collapsed stone box tomb.
Rev. Paul Fillery, a church official, explained that the cause of the collapse was structural failure rather than rainfall or soil erosion. He described the event as ‘incredibly rare,’ noting that the weight of the box tomb on the weakened ceiling led to the collapse, creating a very large hole. The vault, made of locally mined hamstone and built with stone shelves for each family member’s coffin, was sealed once all were laid to rest. An above-ground box tomb was then placed as a ‘very grand gravestone,’ according to Fillery.
The vault contains the remains of Rev. Charles Lewis, a local church leader who died in the mid-18th century, along with his wife’s remains and those of five other adult members of the Lewis family. Two children, one who died at age 6 and another as an infant, were also buried in the vault. Fillery noted that the graves were recorded years ago with inscriptions, which helped identify the remains.
Contrary to previous reports, Fillery emphasized that the collapse was due to structural failure, not environmental factors. He added that the church has several box tombs in the churchyard, but the others appear to be in good condition. The restoration of the vault and the Grade II-listed tomb will cost tens of thousands of pounds, and the church is accepting donations for the cause. Fillery stated the goal is to repair and restore the vault and tomb as much as possible while respecting the family’s final resting place.
Ultimately, Fillery plans to hold a brief service at the grave site to commend the family once again to God and ensure they receive a peaceful rest. The incident has sparked interest among both locals and archaeologists, with some calling it ‘remarkable.’ The church now seeks support for the restoration efforts, balancing the need to preserve history with the responsibility of honoring the past.