This is a simple chapel-style building serving a small community, almost hidden in a most attractive valley. It was designed by E L Bracebridge (his only recorded church in the county) and built 1839-40. There is an impressive stainless steel spire on the roof, which has the effect of bringing the church very much up to date. At the rear, a stairway leads to a blocked-up doorway that would certainly have led to a gallery, now no longer.
In 1958 the church installed electric lighting, but there was still an old iron stove used for heating. Then on 16/17 December 1961, in the time of Rev F B Horsey the church caught fire, and all that remained were the stonewalls. It was once thought it was the action of the Chard Fire Bug, but it was probably caused by excessive heat from the stove chimney, which had been lit for the next day’s service and which went up besides the gallery timber.
A citation for faculty to build the new church arrived in November 1963, but it was argued that the restored building rebuilt in 1964, by Spillers of Chard, should be designed for the dual purpose of church and village hall, but those supporters did not get their way. The architect Mr Stark of Jackson and Stark, Dorchester was responsible for the modern interior.
The walls were repaired and replastered on the inside; a new roof was added, complete with the stainless steel bell spire. The consecration service was held on November 29 1964 by the Ven, the Archdeacon Maddocks, and televised on Tuesday December 1st.
Inside the church is quite plain, but light and airy. There is no pulpit. The cauldron style font is imaginatively mounted in a steel frame and the lectern is worthy of close inspection.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges images and text by Robin Adeney ©
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Holy Trinity | Blackdown | DT8 3LE | 0 | |
St. Mary the Virgin | Thorncombe | TA20 4NF | 1 | |
St. Andrew | Burstock | DT8 3LJ | 2 | |
St. Mary | Drimpton | DT8 3RE | 2 | |
St Stephen | Bettiscombe | DT6 5NT | 2 | |
St. Mary | Marshwood | DT6 5QA | 2 | |
St Mary | Pilsdon | DT6 5NZ | 2 | |
The Navity of John the Baptist | Broadwindsor | DT8 3QE | 3 | |
Forde Abbey | Chard | TA20 4LU | 3 | |
St. John | Seaborough | DT8 3QY | 3 | |
St. John | Fishpond | DT6 6NN | 3 | |
St Mary | Stoke Abbott | DT8 3JT | 4 | |
St Mary | Mosterton | DT8 3HJ | 4 | |
St Candida and Holy Cross | Whitchurch Canonicorum | DT6 6RQ | 4 | |
St. Paul | Broadoak | DT6 5PY | 5 | |
Holy Trinity | Salway Ash | DT6 5JE | 5 | |
St. Mary | Netherbury | DT6 5LR | 5 | |
St Mary | South Perrott | DT8 3HZ | 5 | |
St. Mary | Beaminster | DT8 3BA | 5 | |
St. Mary | Catherston Leweston | DT6 6LZ | 5 |
DHCT C/o Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UX
282790