Our Churches

“Wivey and the Hills” represents the Church of England parishes of the United Benefice of Wiveliscombe, Chipstable, Raddington, Clatworthy, Huish Champflower, Brompton Ralph and Tolland, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. The Benefice is in the North Tone Local Ministry Group and in the Taunton Archdeaconry. Here is a short video from the churches of the Tone Valley which showcases how a variety of local churches have come together as one.

At the heart of our community lies Wiveliscombe and the Parish Church of St Andrews which is located on Church Street and forms part of the impressive skyline on the town when approaching from the east and the south. The church can easily be seen when approaching from either direction.

Please see the pages for each of our churches for more information on the history of the church, their service times and contact details.

Access

As with most rural locations parking is extremely limited and mainly on street. All Churches are accessed directly from the road apart from Raddington which is only accessed by foot. Some of our churches have good disabled facilities including St Andrews but there are generally helping hands to assist. Any queries should be directed to the church wardens. Please can all visitors who are able walk to church.

At Wiveliscombe parking is available around the church on the church path but is limited and last in/ last out basis. It is suggested that you park in either Croft Way car park or North Street car park both of which are a short walk away in the middle of town.

At Langley Marsh parking is extremely limited to on street please ensure that you do not block the neighbours drives.

At Chipstaple, Waterrow, Huish Champflower, Clatworthy, Tolland and Brompton Ralph parking is available on street on verges around the village. Please park carefully and ensure that you do not damage verges or block the carriageway.

At Raddington which is our most rural church where only the most enthusiastic and the sheep can walk to church there is a small lay by just up from the church where the congregation can park. This can get full on large services so please take care not to block the lanes which are very narrow.

St. Andrew’s Wiveliscombe

St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Wiveliscombe, TA4 2LT

Congregation We have a wide range of theological backgrounds from Anglo-Catholic to free church, so our services range from sung Eucharist with organ and choir to cafe-style family celebrations with contemporary worship. Our Christingle service sees the church packed with local families for a candle-lit celebration. Cafe Highlight of the week on Thursday mornings. Home-baked cakes bring in locals to enjoy coffee and chat while listening to piano music or the community choir. Toddler group, in our well-resourced children’s area,…

St. Luke’s Langley Marsh

St Luke's Church, Church Street, Langley Marsh, TA4 2NB

St Luke’s Langley Marsh is the daughter church of St. Andrew’s. To contact the church or to find out more, please go via the contacts for St Andrew’s. Church History and Information: The delightful Langley church, with its pointed bellcote is set back from the road at the end of a short pathway, an earlier church having been based in Hillside Barn, believed to have been a mission church for the miners. The architect’s plans for Langley Mission Room, dated…

St. Peter’s Huish Champflower

St. Peter's Church, Huish Champflower, TA4 2EY

As you head for the hills for about 3.5 miles from Wiveliscombe via Langley Marsh, you will find Huish. A lovely village, said to be 800 feet above sea level. Situated at the foot of the Brendon Hills, surrounded by beautiful countryside. At the heart of the community, you will find the church of St Peter. The building is a surprisingly versatile space. It can easily be adapted to accommodate different occasions and events. We now have under pew heating and…

St. Michael’s Raddington

St. Michael's Church, Raddington, TA4 2QW

Welcome to our church and parish. Raddington is the smallest and most westerly parish in the benefice, comprising a scattering of farmhouses and cottages with a population of around 50. The church is the main focus of our small rural community and we are lucky to be valued and supported by a far wider circle than those who regularly attend services. We welcome visitors from far and wide who are often surprised and delighted to find our door is always…

All Saints Chipstable

All Saints Church, Chipstable, TA4 2PZ

Our beautiful All Saint’s Church, which is part of the united benefice of Wiveliscombe, is set in the centre of the small rural village of Chipstable in the Brendon Hills approximately 3 miles west of Wiveliscombe surrounded by picturesque agricultural landscape. Chipstable is occupied by a mix of young and retired families a few of which donate generously, not only of their time, but are supportive financially to help keep the church maintained both inside and out. ServicesWe hold services…

Waterrow Church and Community Hall

Church and Community Hall, Waterrow, TA4 2AX

Regular Services: Please note that regular services are not running at Waterrow currently. For more information on services and church activities in the hall, please get in touch with the contacts. Hall History and Information: Waterrow Church and Hall is part of the Chipstable with Raddington parish which contains 3 churches – All Saints Chipstable, St. Michael’s Raddington and Waterrow Church and Community Hall. For more information on the parish please visit their parish website. Waterrow is a pretty little…

St. Mary Magdalene Clatworthy

St. Mary Magdalene, Clatworthy, TA4 2EQ

Clatworthy lies in the north of the Benefice. The Parish population is about 100 of whom about 30 live in the village itself, with the remainder spread over scattered properties, including a number of livestock farms. Dominating the landscape is the Wessex Water-owned reservoir covering some 130 acres, providing a 5-mile circular walk, and fly-fishing for trout. Services and outreach There is no electricity in St. Mary Magdalene, so worship takes place by candlelight during the winter. Some background warmth…

St. Mary’s Brompton Ralph

St. Mary's Church, Brompton Ralph, TA4 2RU

Our cheerful congregation is drawn from a caring rural community of nearly 300. Our services are fairly traditional in style, but we are flexible and unfussy. We enjoy singing good hymns, such as ‘Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father’ and we hope for sermons that make us think, help us to meet with God and shape our values. Friendship and caring for one another are evident after our services and in a variety of social events through the…

St. John the Baptist Tolland

St. John the Baptist, Tolland, TA4 3PR

✚ Hidden along a stream-lined track, it may be small and only have some seven to eight services a year, but what both the church and community lack in size they make up for in love and creativity. The services are different from the norm and all are special. Some based on festivals such as Epiphany and Advent and other more modern – pet service and music and meditation. Everyone is welcome and seasonal refreshments are always served afterwards. ✚…