Our Parishes
The five parishes of Brompton Regis, Brushford, Dulverton, Skilgate and Upton all have their own identity and character. The churches play an important role, not just as centres of worship, but as important centres of community activity and service. We are conscious of the historical legacy, but we endeavour to make the Christian gospel relevant to our present day communities.
On this page you can find information on each of these Parishes and their church buildings.
Brompton Regis with Withiel Florey
Brompton Regis is a small rural village in the Brendon Hills. Lying to the east of Dulverton the farmland liess within the Ex moor National Park. The community here is close and supportive, with village shop, pub, and church, being the centres of life. The worshipping community here is loyal, welcoming and inclusive. Services are held twice a month - usually the 2nd and 4th Sundays..
The history of the church and accounts of recent restoration works on the tower and the organ are on the village website: www.bromptonregis.com/church . We collect actively for the Dulverton food bank, We produce a monthly magazine (the Brendon Beacon) available there and covering the BR, Withiel Florey, Skilgate and Upton communities.
The beautiful hamlet of Withiel Florey has only a handful of residents, and yet, each month anywhere from 12 to 25 people gather in this beautiful little church for worship. The church sits in a small plot of land amongst farm buildings and to find it take perseverance, but you will not be disapointed when you do.
Brushford Parish
Brushford is a small welcoming village on the edge of the Exmoor National Park. Its residents are a mixture of retirees and young families, with everything in between. St Nicholas' Church sits at one end of the village. A beautiful little country church well known for its side chapel designed and built by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and tomb to a son of the aristocratic Carnavon family. The congregation that gathers here week by week is loyal and devoted to their little and perfectly formed church.
Church Warden
Frances Nicholson tel: 01398 341502- email: brushfordpcc@gmail.com
Dulverton Parish
Dulverton has 1500 residents and is the only town in the benefice. It sits on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, and is a popular holiday desitination for those looking to explore the park and surrounding countryside.
The current church was built in the 19th century on the foundations of a much older building. With the exception of St George's Church, Dunster, All Saints', Dulverton is the largest church on Exmoor. We are a welcoming and inclusive congregation and look forward to meeting you.
Church Wardens
Steve Ford tel: 01398 322867
email: steveford123@yahoo.co.uk
Ed Thomson tel: 07495 050678
email: canu45@hotmail.co.uk
Skilgate Parish
The village of Skilgate, also set in the Brendon Hills, is a small supportive rural community, and like the other parishes in this benefice, has farming at its heart. The church, dedicated to St John the Baptist has a loyal congregation who gather 2-3 times a month for worship in a variety of styles. Off the beaten track its a great place, once discovered, to sit and think in the silence of the countryside.
Upton Parish
The church of St James, Upton is a Victorian building, built to respond to the needs of the community at that time. Sadly the worshipping community has shrunk hugely over the last years and now the congregation is very small indeed. Consequently we are now a Festival Church with four and sometimes five services a year. These include Easter, Patronal, Harvest and Christmas Carols. We also usually host a United Benefice Service once a year. The Church is still very much alive, looks forward to increased use and joins in by co-hosting many village events in gardens and our active Village Hall.