This interesting church is dedicated to St Giles who was an Abbott in Southern France. Legend has it that he was a wealthy Greek who has renounced all his money in favour of a simple religious life as a hermit in a forest. One day the King of the Goths was hunting deer and one ran to St Giles for protection. The King released an arrow, but there seems to be some uncertainty as to whether the hermit or the hind was shot. Whatever the outcome, the king founded a monastery and installed St Giles as the Abbott.

Hooke St. Giles is part of the Beaminster Area Team Ministry which covers 50 square miles of beautiful rural West Dorset and consists of 14 individual parishes plus the chapel in the grounds of Mapperton House. Our worship shows a wonderful variety of styles ranging from services from the Book of Common Prayer to the child-centred Messy Church, with music a vital part of our activities.

You can find more information about our services, events, activities, and contact details via our website: beaminsterteamchurches.org