\n \nThe Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm at Yeovilton) has enjoyed a close friendship with the parish church of St. Bartholomew since 1940 with the commissioning of RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron). During 1940-42 fifteen victims of air accidents were buried in the churchyard before the opening of the Naval Cemetery on its southern boundary in 1942. In 1988, much of the church structure having become unsafe, it was made redundant. It was then that the often discussed idea of using St. Bartholomew\'s as the Anglican Church for RNAS Yeovilton was put into action. The Royal Navy seized the opportunity and bought the \'job-lot\' for £1 in 1992. This triggered a series of national and international appeals to restore the church to its former glory under the guardianship of the newly formed Trustees. An Order in Council signed by the Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother formally sealed this process. St. Bart\'s, (as it has come to be affectionately known) passed from the local Diocese of Bath and Wells to assume the mantle of the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church - effectively a private church housing the Fleet Air Arm Roll of Honour and a fitting focal point for those lost in conflict and other events. On 11 November 1993, after much restoration work, it was dedicated for use as such. Its appeal is world-wide and many visitors are struck by the beauty and upkeep of the place. St. Bart\'s is primarily used for worship and this makes a profound difference between a living community and a dead monument. Historically it might be argued that St. Bart\'s is the oldest of all military church buildings, having its roots in Saxon times \n