WITHYCOMBE CHURCHES
Church of England: Diocese of Bath and Wells: Exmoor Deanery
Church of St Nicholas
The Church of St Nicholas is in the centre of Withycombe village. It is one of Exmoor's characteristic 'white churches' and one that is fortunate in having escaped major restoration. Much of it is in the Perpendicular style and some is Early English, dating from the 13th century. It unusually retains its original concecration cross from this period. The tower, which has a ring of four bells, is thought to be original from the 13th century, although it could be even earlier. The font is Norman and could have come from an earlier church on the same site. The nave and chancel contain windows of all three Gothic periods: Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular.
The church is not large, seating about 100 in the nave, which has no aisles. This is separated from the choir and chancel by a carved rood screen dating from about 1500. Its Flemish carvers were probably the same as those that made the screen at Dunster. The staircase that once gave access to the rood loft, now gone, is by the pulpit. Also gone is a gallery at the west end, which was accessed by a flight of steps up the outside of the tower. Either side of the nave are the carved stone effigies of a man and a woman. It is knot known who they were but each is clasping in their hands a heart case, suggesting that they were from the parish but buried elsewhere. The effigy of the man dates from around 1250. He is wearing a hat and this is possibly the earliest example of this kind in England. The effigy of the woman dates from around 1300.
The church has benefited from various gifts including a three-manual organ and a statue of St Nicholas created by local sculptress, Rachel Reckitt.
The monthly pattern of services is:
· 9.30 am every first, third and fourth Sundays: Holy Communion
· 9.30 am every second Sunday: Kingfishers
Chapel of St Bartholomew, Rodhuish
This small, low building is another of Exmoor's characteristic 'white churches'. It has never been a parish church but has served the hamlet of Rodhuish. Originally in Carhampton parish, it is now in Withycombe parish. Like the parish church, it dates from the 13th Century. Unlike St Nicholas', however, it retains its west gallery. It is very simple, consisting of just a nave, seating about 50, separated from the altar by a low rail. There is also a tiny bell tower and south porch. Its early history is obscure and the first mention of the chapel was in the 17th century. It was extensively restored in the early 19th century and has been undergoing more sensitive restoration in the early 21st century.
The chapel has associations with the Reckitt family, once owners of nearby Golsoncott House. Family members have included the writer Penelopy Lively and sculptress Rachel Reckitt. The family have enhanced the building with tapestry work and a sculpture of Jacob wrestling with the Angel, created by Rachel Reckitt. Restoration has been supported by the Golsoncott Foundation.
Regular services take place on the second and fourth Sundays in the month, as follows:
· 11.00 am every second Sunday: Morning Prayer
· 11.00 am every fourth Sunday: Holy Communion
Former Methodist chapel
In a cluster of houses below the parish church at Withycombe is a former Methodist Chapel. The plain building was erected in 1846 by Bible Christians at a cost of £92. Services were held there until 1973, since when it has been sold for conversion.