St Mary's Thorncombe

Thorrncombe is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the northwest border of Dorset, 2 miles outside the border with Somerset.  It is 6 miles from the nearest town of Chard and a similar distance from Crewkerne, and about 8 miles from Axminster (E Devon) and Beaminster (W. Dorset).  The parish is very rural and covers 5,200 acres with several small hamlets and outlying farms as well as the central village.  The population is 720, with 19% being under 17 years, and 23% over 65 yrs. There are a number of holiday cottages and second homes in the area.  There are two large landed estates in the parish, with both families involved in church and village life, as well as offering local employment. 

The village supports a community shop and post office, a Sports and Social club, swimming pool and play area, all run and managed by voluntary effort. The Village Hall is the venue for many village organisations, from playgroup to pensioners’ lunch club. There is a primary school but being a rural area, 40% come from outside the catchment area, ie. are not resident in the parish. The school come into church for festivals, and to mark the beginning/end of term.

The present church is in the centre of the village opposite the shop, and was consecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury in 1867.  It is well maintained, and has a servery and toilet, which were installed 10 years ago, together with improved storage facilities. There is seating (mainly in pews) for 120. The churchyard is currently open for burials and deposition of cremated remains, but a portion of former glebe land has been transferred to the Parish Council for future use. 

There is a peal of eight bells with a committed ringing team, and the tower is often visited by other ringers.  We also have a set of handbells, newly restored. 

The private chapel at Forde Abbey is within the parish, and served by the local clergy.  

 Welcome to Thorncombe Parish Church

A Place Rich in History and Worship

For centuries, generations of Thorncombe residents have gathered here to worship God and to find joy, peace, and fellowship. 

A Church Rooted in History

The story of Thorncombe Church begins in 1239, when the original church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Bishop of Exeter. Built under the care of the Cistercian monks of Forde Abbey, it stood about 40 yards south of the present church. Today, a large Wellingtonia tree in the churchyard marks its original site.

One of Forde Abbey’s last abbots, Thomas Chard (also known as Tyblis), remained in Thorncombe after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 and served as vicar from 1529—a remarkable example of continuity in turbulent times.

From Devon to Dorset

Until 1843, Thorncombe was in Devon, both civilly and ecclesiastically. It was then transferred to Dorset and the Diocese of Salisbury, before becoming part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells in 1982, where it remains today.

Thorncombe and Its Name

The name “Thorncombe” comes from the Saxon words torn and cumb, meaning a valley with thorn bushes. Historically, such trees were used to mark sites of open-air assemblies for parishes and ‘hundreds’—early local administrative units.

Spanning 5,500 acres, Thorncombe is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086). In the 18th century, it was a busy centre for the wool and lace-making trades, and the population peaked at over 1,600. Today, it is closer to 650, yet the strong sense of community continues.

The Present Church

The church was built in 1866–67, thanks largely to the Bragge family of Sadborow, patrons of the parish from 1576 to 1922. The foundation stone was laid by Margaret Bragge, and the church was dedicated on 15 October 1867.

The building is in the Perpendicular Gothic style, with windows modelled on those in the cloisters of Forde Abbey, maintaining a visual link with the church’s monastic origins.

Treasures from the Past

Several important features from the original medieval church were preserved and brought here. These include:

• A 14th-century arch under the tower

• The baptismal font, now set on a Hamstone pedestal
  
  

• A Jacobean altar (early 17th century), now in the Lady Chapel
  
  

• A 16th-century oak pulpit
  
  

• A 17th-century reading desk
  
  

• Linenfold-carved pew ends
  
  

• A Sanctuary chair, dated 1650
  
  

• A 1725 oak coffer for parish records
  
  

• A superb 15th-century brass memorial to Sir Thomas and Lady Brooke of Holditch Court
  
  

• A 15th-century recess arch, now above the brass
  
  

• The 18th-century weathercock, once atop the original church tower
  
  

Walking Through the Church

As you enter, you’ll find the baptismal font on your left—used for generations of Thorncombe baptisms. Behind it is the Children’s Corner, a quiet space that celebrates new life and growing faith.

Moving up the central aisle, notice the 16th-century pulpit on the left and the 17th-century reading desk on the right—both brought from the old church.

In the chancel, the East Window above the altar shows the Holy Family surrounded by shepherds and wise men. To either side are David and Ruth. The adjoining stained glass windows depict St. Luke and St. John (north) and St. Peter and St. Paul (south), installed in memory of beloved clergy.

To your left, enter the Lady Chapel, once the pew area for the Bragge family's household staff. It now holds the original High Altar and the oldest stained glass in the church.

Next to it is the Choir Vestry, formerly the Evans family pew, beneath which lies the Evans vault, containing several lead-lined coffins.

Also on the left is the gold disc of St. Mary’s Guitars, a musical group that regularly leads worship here—reflecting the church’s embrace of all generations.

To your right, you’ll see the organ, gifted by the parish in 1967. Nearby, beneath the north wall recess, lies the splendid Brooke brass—a nationally significant example of medieval memorial art.

Above it is a 15th-century recess arch, and nearby, stained glass windows remember Canon Bragge. Around the church, look out for the beautifully hand-stitched kneelers, created by parishioners of all ages in the 1980s to mark the union of local parishes and the church’s move to the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

The Tower and Bells

Thorncombe’s bells have a long and impressive history. The original five bells, cast before 1613, formed one of the heaviest peals of five in the world. One bell was even buried in the churchyard while the new tower was under construction!

In 1936, the Tenor Bell was recast and inscribed with the poignant line:

“I to the Church the living call, and to the grave do summon all.”

Then, in 1962, the peal was expanded to eight bells, with support from local people and the Barron Bell Trust.

Church Plate and Memorials

The church owns several historic items of plate, including:

• A 1571 Elizabethan chalice and cover
  
  

• A 1718 George I paten
  
  

• A 1722 George I flagon (gifted by Elizabeth Bragge)
  
  

• A 1725 George II salver (gifted by Rev. Thomas Cooke)
  
  

• A 1819 George III goblet
  
  

• A silver trowel used to lay the church’s foundation stone
  
  

• Various 17th–20th-century alms dishes and wafer boxes
  
  

These items are not on public display for security reasons but are part of the church’s living heritage.

The Vicars of Thorncombe

You may notice the List of Vicars near the font. Several were members of the Bragge family, who served as patrons and clergy over many generations. In total, six Bragges held the living for 131 years across nearly three centuries.

One notable vicar, Samuel Hood, appointed in 1751, was father to two celebrated admirals: Samuel Viscount Hood and Alexander Viscount Bridport—national heroes whose family memorials can be seen in nearby Cricket St. Thomas Church.

Donations to support the care and upkeep of the church are always welcome and can be placed in the Offerings Box by the Font.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Grateful thanks to Mrs. I. Hanchard-Owen, Rev. B. Sutton, Mr. A.E.O. Jordan, Mr. W.E. Potter and Mr. E.A. Vicke for information and advice in the preparation of this Guide. 

If you would like to donate to our beautiful church please make payments to: 

PCC Thorncombe  A/c 70219397  Sort Code 600506