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Historic church collapse exposes ancient family vault

Nov 26, 2025, 9:00 AM10
(Update: Nov 26, 2025, 9:00 AM)
village and civil parish in Somerset, England
county in Maine, United States

Historic church collapse exposes ancient family vault

  • A sinkhole-like collapse occurred at All Saints Church in Martock, Somerset, during the Remembrance Sunday services on November 8.
  • The structural failure revealed a 300-year-old family vault without disturbing the remains inside.
  • Church officials plan to repair the vault and hold a service to honor those laid to rest there.
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Located in Somerset, England, a dramatic event unfolded at All Saints Church in Martock on November 8, when a sinkhole-like collapse occurred in the churchyard during the Remembrance Sunday services. This rare structural failure resulted in the exposure of a 300-year-old family vault, revealing its previously hidden contents. Photographs show a stone box tomb, which is a type of above-ground structure that does not house remains itself, collapsing and creating a significant hole. The vault underneath, believed to have been sealed after the interment of family members, remained undisturbed despite the incident. Rev. Paul Fillery, a church official, described the collapse as a rather hectic week for the parish and clarified that the cause of the structural failure was not related to rainfall or soil erosion, but rather a weakening of the ceiling supporting the box tomb. The vault itself is an ancient structure made of hamstone, a locally mined material, featuring stone shelves for coffins of family members. According to Fillery, notable interments include Rev. Charles Lewis, a local church figure from the mid-18th century, along with his wife and five other adult family members. Tragedy also struck the family as two children were buried in the vault, one of whom passed away at the tender age of six, while another died in infancy. Historical records of the graves provided insights into the identities and stories of those buried within the vault. The box tomb, viewed as a grand gravestone, was placed atop the sealed vault after all family members had been laid to rest. Given the nature of this incident, Fillery deemed the collapse incredibly rare, so the church aims to repair and restore both the vault and the box tomb in a respectful manner. Plans are in place to hold a brief service at the grave site to honor the family once the restoration efforts are complete. The church community, including parishioners present during Remembrance Sunday, have been impacted by this unforeseen event. The findings from the collapsed structure have sparked discussions regarding the structural integrity of older buildings and cemeteries. Maintaining the sanctity and memorialization of those interred remains a priority for church officials as they navigate the challenges posed by this historic and rare occurrence.

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