Dulverton churches
Church of England: Diocese of Bath and Wells/ Exmoor Deanery
Parish church of All Saints
In medieval times Dulverton church was attached to the priory at Taunton. By the 18th century it was described as a typical 'hall church' with nave, chancel, two side aisles and tower. The 13th century tower is all that remains of the older building, the church being almost entirely rebuilt in 1855. The old church had become overcrowded with box pews and galleries, 289 numbered seats being reserved for the poor of the parish. Unfortunately an impressive 15th century screen was ripped out in the rebuilding. The church was widened but the old columns were reused and the original layout was largely kept. Most of the furnishings date from the restoration. There are some older monuments to the Sydenham family and some stained glass was given by Sir George Williams, founder of the YMCA, who came from nearby Ashway Farm. In the churchyard is the stump of the Belfry Tree, a huge sycamore that once overtopped the tower. Iron belts leaning against the tower were once used sucessfully to hold the split trunk together in one of the earliest records of tree surgery. .
Services: These are usually held on Wednesday mornings and three times on a Sunday
Rector and Rural Dean of Exmoor: Rev John Thorogood, Tel 01398 323425
Curate: Rev Justine Woolley, Tel 01398 324051
Catholic Church:Diocese of Clifton/Taunton Deanery
Parish Church of St Stanislaus
The church was established during the Second World War. Its dedication to St. Stanislaus of Cracow, patron saint of Poland and martyr, is probably unique among dedications of parish churches in England. This association is due to Auberon Herbert, who fought alongside Polish forces during the Second World War. Afterwards he devoted his energies to the resettlement of Polish servicemen who were unable to return to their native land. Many were housed in and around Dulverton, swelling the Roman Catholic congregation. The building was due mainly to the initiative of Auberon's mother, Mary Herbert, widow of Aubrey Herbert of Pixton Park. She first converted an old corrugated iron laundry at Pixton Park into a chapel. This was within Minehead RC parish and was served by a visiting priest from Minehead. In 1944 Fr. (later Canon) O’Brien resided in a cottage on the estate and served the chapel. In September 1945 Mrs. Herbert contacted her friend Prof Albert Richardson, a distinguished architect, over the building of a new church at Dulverton. An old stable was adapted and opened in 1955. It is a simple brick building with a cartwheel window above the porhc. The church contains furnishings from the Pixton chapel, including a sanctuary lamp, an Eric Gill crucifix and a Portugese reredos. There is a 16th century Hungarian statue of St. Stanislaus. Two circular windows were made at Buckfast Abbey. One contains a panel by the Irish stained-glass artist Evie Hone. Next to the church is a residential youth centre.
Priest: Fr Robert Miller
Address:Bridge House, 2 High Street, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9HB Telephone: 01398 324217
Services: Sunday Mass: Vigil 5.30 pm, 10.00 am
Holy Days: 7.30 pm
Confessions: Before and after any Mass or by appointment
Former United Reformed Chapel
One of the earliest references to Nonconformity in the Exmoor area comes from 1663 when a Dulverton resident was fined for practising Nonconformity. Converts held secret meetings until licensed chapels were permitted from 1689. Dulverton's first such chapel, known as the 'New Hall' was built in 1710. A larger Congregational chapel was built in 1831. The date is above the entrance to this plain building in Chapel Street. A manse was added in 1887 and a schoolroom ten years later. There is a small graveyard.
Former Methodist Chapel
Methodist preachers from Taunton started coming to Dulverton in 1810. Meetings were held in houses but the Congregational church flourished at the expense of Methodism. A Bible Christian Meeting Room was opened in 1852 and converted to a chapel a year later. In 1902 a new brick built chapel, seating 200 was opened in Lady Street.