Cutcombe churches
Church of England (Diocese of Bath and Wells)
Parish church of St John the Evangelist
Standing at 285 metres above sea level this parish church is among the highest on Exmoor. It is in Ashwell Lane at the eastern end of the village, from where there are fine views over the Brendon Hills.
The oldest part of the church is the Purbeck marble Norman font. Unfortunately only the base is original as the Victorians added an italian bowl. The tower, part rendered and with gargoyles, probably dates from the 13th century and escaped the Victorian restoration. The remainder of the church shows Perpendicular features and a typical Perpendicular plan of south porch, nave, north aisle and chancel but all was extensively restored in 1865. Most of the furnishings date from this period, although some of the stained glass is later.
Outside, two yews flank the gateway. In the churchyard is a 15th century cross, the top of which was restored in 1898 as a memorial to the Rev John King. His blind daughter, Alice, was famed as a writer and musician.
Church of St John the Evangelist
Methodist
Former Methodist Chapel, Wheddon Cross
There were regular Methodist services in the parish from the early 19th century. A small chapel was built in the village in 1816 but the land was only on a short lease. A new chapel was built at Wheddon Cross in 1839. It was known as the 'Centenary Chapel', it being a hundred years since the Wesley brothers first started their Methodist mission. In 1893 the chapel was replaced on the same site by the present building. There is a large window with tinted glass, five rows of seats and a schoolroom. Two of its congregation became foreign missionaries. The father of one, the Rev Henry Gulliford, was a clockmaker and a sundial that he made still hangs on nearby Sundial Cottage.The congregation waxed and waned and in 2006 the chapel was closed through lack of support.