Church of England

Church of England

St Nicholas Church. 

The History: Our Church is Grade I listed and is Norman in origin, with the chancel and lower stage of the tower dating from the 13th century. It was enlarged and aisles added in the 15th century, with further restoration in 1836.

There was a church on the site from the Norman Conquest and possibly earlier. The church was dedicated by the Bishop of Waterford with Bishop Jocelin of Wells in 1170.

The Hamstone nave has five bays and holds the font which may have survived from the pre Norman era. The 15th century aisles include a piscina and another font. The carved rood screen dates from around 1470. Beneath the chancel are three vaults which were discovered in 1971. The tower has six bells and a clock dating from 1845. It has battlements, corner pinnacles and gargoyles. Click here to read the Church history booklet with Cloke revisions (1).

The People: The Rector is the Reverend Ann Kember and Reverend Georgina Vye is Associate Vicar in the Benefice of Chard St Mary’s, Combe St Nicholas with Ham, Wambrook and Whitestaunton.

All Sunday services in Combe St Nicholas now commence at 10.30am. The times of the weekly services, as well as any additional services (i.e. School services, Weddings and Funerals) will be posted in the Church Porch and also in the notice-board outside on the railings.

Information about Baptism, Wedding and Funeral Services in the church can be obtained from the Associate Vicar, Reverend Georgina Vye on 01460 66159/07950 989916. If Georgina is unavailable, please phone the Parish Office on 01460 67867 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

The Churchwardens are Penny Croucher 01460 64098 and Keda Horn 07867 300 795.

If you would like to receive Holy Communion at home, or arrange for a pastoral visit, please contact Rev Georgina Vye.

Please contact the Rector (telephone 01460 351521), the Associate Vicar (number as above) if you would like to speak to a priest.

The Parish Council provides financial assistance towards the cost of maintaining the churchyard.

Music for services is provided by volunteer organists. Services are supported by a mixed adult choir. The church bells are rung for some services and for weddings. There is an active group of bell ringers.

The Parish is in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Archdeaconry of Taunton www.bathandwells.org.uk and the Rural Deanery of Crewkerne and Ilminster www.crewkerne-ilminster-deanery.org.

The Services:

Church Services at St Nicholas.  As advertised in the Cloverleaf Magazine each month. 

1st  Sunday      at 10:30am. Family Service all ages.

2nd Sunday     at 10:30am. Holy Communion.

3rd  Sunday     at 10:30am. Service of the Word. This is shared with the Methodist Church alternate weeks.

4th  Sunday     at 10:30am. Holy Communion.

5th  Sunday     Benefice Service. Held at, Chard, Combe, Wambrook, Whitestaunton in turn.

On the 3rd Wednesday    10:00am Said BCP Communion.

1st & 3rd Sunday    6:00pm at Ham Church BCP Evensong. (April until September)

Midweek Communion   10.00am every Wednesday at Combe Church.

The monthly 3rd Sunday services are shared with the Methodist Church – alternately in each Church. Methodist Services commence at 10.30am.

Some services at Festival times are also shared with our Methodist friends.

The Church has strong links with Combe St. Nicholas CEVA Primary School, which uses the building and grounds regularly, and where the Vicar is also Chaplain.

The Lord’s Larder:

A source of food for those in real need in the Chard area. There is a box on the right just inside the main door of the Parish Church where people are invited to place food to be distributed to those less fortunate in our area. At present the organisers say the particular need is for tea, coffee and sugar, but any tinned or dried food that is in date would be very welcome. The church is normally open from 0900 – 1700 hrs daily. All contributions will be gratefully received.

The Bellringers:  Click link to read more about our bellringers.

The Eco Church award: 

The Headstones in our Churchyard:

Anyone interested in locating a particular grave can contact Mrs. Betty Cloke, who holds records going back to the 17th century (though some graves do not have a headstone). Her email address betty@cloke.org.

Safeguarding You:

We aim to keep everyone safe in our Church Community.  Our Benefice Safeguarding Officer is TBA email address is pso@stmaryschard.org.uk.

 

Parish Safeguarding Policy

Church of England   

The Parish of St Nicholas Combe St Nicholas

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on April 23rd 2023

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

 

  • Promoting a safer environment and culture.
  • Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
  • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
  • Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
  • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
  • Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

  • Create a safe and caring place for all.
  • Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
  • Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
  • Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
  • Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
  • Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  • Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
  • Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Rev A Kember as the Parish Safeguarding Officer 01460 351521

Incumbent Rev Ann Kember and Associate Vicar Rev Georgina Vye

Churchwardens Keda Horn and Penny Croucher

Date: April 23rd 2023

01.08.18 v1

To contact the Bath and Wells Safeguarding department through the following link click: https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/diocese/safeguarding/

Combe St. Nicholas Parish Council