St Mary Magdalene, Sparkford

The Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sparkford, well known for being most welcoming, has a small but enthusiastic, lively and committed congregation, the majority being from the retired community. The Church has a Facebook page which can be accessed from the Facebook search facility – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088430196493

The church is well supported by enthusiastic volunteers: including sidespersons and readers; and on the cleaning and key rotas. The key rota allows the church to be open during the day nominally 10am to 4pm depending on the time of the year.

The church generally provides services of traditional Morning Prayer and Holy Communion; whilst from time to time there are more informal acts of worship.

Holy Trinity, Sutton Montis

Sutton Montis is a small rural community nestled at the foot of Cadbury Castle, an Iron Age hill fort reputed to be linked to the Arthurian Legend and Camelot. It is surrounded by rolling fields and orchards and is an extremely friendly, generous and hospitable parish. The village is made up of houses and cottages, two working farms and a small village hall. The residents comprise several working families and there is a predominance of active retirees.

The church plays a central role in the community organising various social and fund-raising events throughout the year. Similarly, residents join themed suppers, quiz nights, coffee mornings and other events organised by the Village Hall Committee.

Holy Cross, Weston Bampfylde

Weston Bampfylde is the smallest of the six villages in the Benefice and is a friendly and welcoming place to live with a mixed population with two working farms, several retired people and some working in local businesses.

Businesses in the village include a cider maker, a farm shop, a beauty parlour, a dog grooming parlour, a wine wholesaler, and a livery stable.

In the centre of the village are the church and village hall, where there are regular social events organised by the village hall committee and some of these are joint activities with the church.

For example, in the summer we held a concert in the church, with refreshments in the village hall. The proceeds were shared between the village hall and the church. We also enjoy leading community carols at the farm shop just before Christmas. One highlight of the year is our Palm Sunday service with our 2 resident donkeys Eddie and Smokey.

For the last two years we have published a village calendar, with sale proceeds going to the hall and the church.

The church is open each day, and we invite all in the community to enjoy the building and the churchyard as a quiet space in the centre of the village

The church building dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and is architecturally significant because of its octagonal tower.

The church is financially sound and well cared for by church members and villagers alike. There are a few items to be done from a recent quinquennial report, and the walls surrounding the churchyard need some repair and maintenance work.

All Saints, West Camel

All Saints Anglican Church lies just off the A303 in the beautiful village of West Camel. The church has recently been refurbished with a new West Gallery at the back. Part of the original Celtic Preaching Cross (dated from before 940AD) is sited close to the communion table. We aim to serve the whole community and provide and worship in both old and new forms, with regular traditional Book of Common Prayer services alongside alternative approaches.

In July 2016 we welcomed the Methodist Community into a very successful Building Sharing Agreement. In addition to a once monthly ecumenical service the community has introduced joint services on the village green for Good Friday and Carols at Christmas, both of which are well supported.

St Andrews, Corton Denham

St Andrew’s Church can be found half way up the hillside in the small village of Corton Denham. A beautiful Victorian church, it has stunning stained glass by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier. We aim to be the friendly spiritual heart of our community with regular services and events for everyone. Worship is a mixture of old and new, and includes traditional Book of Common Prayer services alongside our more informal Village Service.

St Barnabas, Queen Camel

St Barnabas Anglican Church is in the beautiful village of Queen Camel. The 14th century building is outstanding and can be approached along the cobbled Church Path. A leaflet giving the history of the Church is available inside which includes details of our bells, the heaviest peal of six in the world!

We hold both traditional and informal acts of worship. Camel Club is a thriving children’s group which meets during term time on Thursday afternoons after school for those of primary school age and contributes enthusiastically to our monthly All Age service. The church is also involved in hosting a Village Café in the Memorial Hall on the second Tuesday of every month. “Bumps, Tots and Toddlers” for young children and their parents/carers meets every Wednesday morning in the Memorial Hall (winter months) and church (summer months) and “Camel Cares” provides a network of support for those who might need that extra bit of help at difficult times. We also have a church allotment scheme and the church is a past winner of the Church Times Green Church Award for action in the community. Camel Club also considers environmental issues, particularly in relation to the churchyard.
Please see: St Barnabas Website