© Isle LMG
2008

Ashill, Barrington, Broadway,Chillington, Cudworth, Curry Rivel, Donyatt, Dowlish Wake, Fivehead, Horton, Ilminster, Ilton, Isle Abbotts, Isle Brewers, Kingstone, Puckington, Shepton Beauchamp, Stocklinch, Swell, Whitelackington

There has been a church on the same spot in Dowlish Wake since at least Saxon times, but the current building was put there by the Victorians who demolished the older structure but kept the tower.   It stands in a dominant position overlooking the village and guarding the entrance to Dowlish from the north.   In common with a lot of ancient villages, the Church stands next-door to the Manor House.   Inside the church there are Saxon stone artefacts from the old church at Moolham and there is a chapel dedicated to the Speke Family who have long associations with Dowlish and the surrounding villages.   Most prominent of this illustrious family was John Hanning Speke (1827 – 1864), an officer in the British Indian Army and an explorer who, along with Richard F Burton, discovered the source of the Nile.   He is buried at Dowlish.   

 

 The village itself must be one of the prettiest in Somerset; it is the home of the famous and award-winning, Perry’s Cider; it has an artist’s studio and shop; and a well known pub, the New Inn.  Some of the original village families remain one of which has four generations living in the village; but in common with all our parishes, the high price of housing means that getting onto the property ladder is very expensive.

There are a number of large and well-supported organisations in Dowlish, amongst which is: the Church, Speke Hall, Festival Society, Playing Fields and Monday Croquette.   These all thrive and provide a welcome focus for village life which is both fun and useful.   Dowlish is well known for its sense of community spirit; it is a close knit village were the inhabitants look out for, and care about, each other.

 

 

The Church is much loved and supported by people of other religious denominations or none.   The congregation genuinely seek to provide a place of quiet and reflection for everyone and religious services which might appeal to as wide a range of beliefs and needs as possible.   Whilst maintaining a Victorian building will never be easy, the Church Council works hard to raise money for the fabric and mission, and regularly raises separate funds for other charities (in the summer nearly £700 was raised for The Children’s Society).

 

 The parish now includes the ancient benefice of Moolham, where the churchyard remains open; beautifully cared for and much loved.   There was a church there until about the C16th, possibly made of wood.   There are two traditions as to why the church disappeared but the churchyard remained.  One has it that the church twice burned down and the parishioners thought this might be a sign, so they moved to the stone build Dowlish church.   The other story is that when Moolham tried to rebuild their church, the folk from Ilminster kept stealing the building materials!   

 

I’ll say no more!!