Francis C. Eales published a book about ST. DECUMAN’S CHURCH in 1932

and his short summary for visitors still mostly applies today.

 His list of interesting points is:-

1. Fine geometrical east window with original tracery of the end of the 13th century.

2. Remarkable Perpendicular window tracery in south aisle, of a local type.

3. Fine North Aisle of another and later local type of Perpendicular work.

4. Splendid series of wagon roofs throughout the church with rich carving.

5. Considerable portions of rood-screen in nave and south aisle of earlier date than

most other screens in the district, with the only parclose screen in the locality.

6. Stately Perpendicular west tower very like that of Minehead.

7. Good Perpendicular font with eight demi-angels supporting the basin.

8. A large number of fine 13th century tiles.

9. Early 17th century pulpit, sounding board and altar rails.

10.  Important monuments to the Wyndham family, including a remarkable

canopied tomb (canopy since demolished); fine 16th and 17th century brasses,

some of a very rare embossed type.

11.  Interesting modern altar and glass in south chapel.

12.  Remains of churchyard cross.

The Church and well are on probably one of the earliest Christian sites

in West Somerset.  However an earlier church building or minster was

situated on a nearby hill. This was abandoned because of coastal erosion

(see Watchet and Williton by R.W.Dunning). At that time St Decuman’s

was also the parish church for Williton, so constructing the new building

between the two centres was logical. The tower provides an ideal lookout

as from it there are views of the Quantocks, Brendons and Exmoor as well

as across the Bristol Channel. (Sadly one cannot enjoy these views today

for Health and Safety reasons).  It also provided a guide for those arriving

by sea.

The chancel is unusually wide and may have been so to accommodate

the tomb of St. Decuman, the whereabouts of which is now unknown.

The Parish used to celebrate the “Translation of St. Decuman” to remember

the moving of the tomb to the new building.  The present structure has no

features older than from the late 13th century.  The earliest documentary

evidence of a church at Watchet dates from about 1190 when it was given

by Simon Brett to Bishop Reginald to form a prebend in Wells Cathedral.

The original Norman building, apart from the chancel, underwent rebuilding

in the 15th and 16th centuries when a centrally placed tower was demolished

and the present one built at the west end. The wagon roofs date from this

time and have decorated wall plates with carved angel supports.  The roof

bosses are of interest too.

The tiles in the chancel and north aisle were probably made at Cleeve

Abbey and may previously have been sited around the font before that

was moved, and earlier still have been laid in the Wyndham vault.

The lower part of the rood screen across the south aisle is earlier than the central part,

having been made before 1500 and at that time situated one bay

further west and connectiong with a rood loft. The main section is

newer and some of it is modern to replace part removed by the Earl

of Egremont to form an opening on the west side of the family pew

which was situated in the chancel. The upper part of the screen is Victorian.  A parclose screen separates the

chancel from the Wyndham chapel to the north.  This may be older

than the rood screen.

The late mediaeval font, stem and base are octagonal in

shape and the bowl has carved angels with outspread

wings supporting it. Originally it was painted.

Monuments in the church are of interest. The oldest

is an altar tomb on which there are brasses of Sir John

Wyndahm who died in 1574 and his wife Elizabeth

Sydenham who predeceased him by three years. The

brasses show in fine detail the armour and dress of the day.

Further brasses commemmorate their grandson and his

wife who died in 1572 and 1596 respectively. John and

Elizabeth’s son, also John married Florence Wadham

(whose brother Nicholas founded Wadham College at Oxford).

Tradition has it that soon after they were married, Florence

apparently collapsed and died and was buried next day in the

family crypt.  That night the Sexton Tom Hole returned to the

crypt to steal her rings. He could not remove the jewellery by

pulling so tried to cut off her fingers. This caused Florence to

come out of her coma.  Tom fled and was never seen again.

Florence returned home and had difficulty convincing her family

that she was not a ghost.  She made a full recovery and went

on to have children. Members of the family to this day are not

buried until at least three days after death.

Other items to see in the church include the stained glass,

funerial helments and some carvings.

Normally the church is only open during services as there

have been unwelcome visitors in the past. 

However this summer a team of volunteers has been

opening for visits on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday

afternoons from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. This will continue during September.

Meanwhile a warm welcome awaits you if you come along

for the 10 a.m. Service on Sundays.

A detailed, illustrated booklet is available

on the history of the three sacred sites in Watchet written

by Vicar David Ireson.

The Patron Saint of the church, St Decuman is supposed to

have arrived here from Wales on a pile of faggots with a cow. 

This story is not unique.  He is reputed to have lived an exemplary

life here until one day he was beheaded by a madman who could not

tolerate his saintliness.  Decuman is supposed to have carried his

severed head to the well where he washed.  In some stories he

replaced the head and was cured.

From documentary and other evidence Decuman

(Decumanus, Decombes) came from a devout family

in Wales where Christianity was established earlier

than it was in the West Country. He was an active

missionary and organiser of Celtic monasteries in

Southern Wales, North Somerset and West Cornwall. 

As Degemen he is patron saint of the parish of

Roscrowther in Southern Pembrokeshire which was

once a very important monastery. Near the church at

Roscrowther is a well called by some St Decuman’s

(but is also named after St. Agnes). There were two

further chapels bearing his name in Cornwall.

 (Visit www.degibnaprayerchapel.org.uk for details of one of these).

It would appear that Decuman was working with a group of

monks who later were sainted including Petroc and Carantoc.

.  The name Decumanus

(Decimanus) in Latin meant “a farmer of tythes”. It

seems that he was a Romanised Briton (The Britons

lived in Wales while a tribe called the Sumorsaetas

inhabited Somerset). There is no record of writings

about him until many years after his passing.

 The original Chapel of the Holy Cross was built so that

prayers could be said for the Fitzurse Family. A Chaplain carried

out this duty. Reginald FitzUrze was one of the knights who

murdered Thomas a Becket. He, together with Richard Brito,

another of the murderers, had St. Decuman’s Church built and

gave it to Wells Cathedral.  The Chapel of the Holy Cross had

other buildings with it and all were sold in 1548. They gradually

became ruins and their exact whereabouts are not now known. 

The present building which also houses the Watchet Museum

belongs to the Wyndham Family. It was a Mission to Seamen

as well as a chapel in 1907. Holy days are held in the chapel

Decuman’s Well is to be found near the Church and is one of

the reasons why the latter is inconveniently situated away from

the town.  It produces clear water and has long been considered

holy.  The site has been regarded as sacred since Pagan times.

It has been restored recently and provides a place for quiet

reflection and prayer away from the bustle of everyday life.

Baptisms and Services are carried out by the well sometimes.

If a group of people wish to worship there, they are asked to

register with the Vicar of St. Decuman’s who is responsible for

ensuring that all worship respects the life-enhancing sacredness

of the well.

Such a place naturally has its legend. St Decuman was said to

have carried his severed head there where he washed it and

replaced on his shoulders and then continued with life as normal.

The late Bishop Andrew performing a baptism at the Well

[Home] [Watchet] [Three Holy Sites] [Contact us] [Other Churches in Watchet] [Message from Bethan] [Who's Who] [Times of Services] [Readings for the month] [Parish Communion] [News] [Dates of events] [Mother's Union] [Links] [Parish Records] [In our prayers]