Ilminster, The Minster Church

The Minster stands at the heart of the small market town to which it gives its name. The monks of nearby Muchelney Abbey first built a church here around 720AD, but the present building dates from around 1460. Its most striking external feature is the 90 foot tower in golden Ham stone.

The design of the crossing tower is inspired by that of Wells Cathedral. A blocked doorway on its north-west face marks the entrance to an exceptionally elevated rood loft (now disappeared) where musicians are known to have played until the 1780s.

The north chapel contains the tombs of Sir William Wadham, by whose bequest the Minster was built, and of Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, founders of Wadham College, Oxford. The chapel is entered through a Jacobean screen.

The south chapel contains memorial tablets to Ilminsterians who gave their lives in the two world wars. Two Books of Remembrance close to the memorials contain biographical details of those who died.

The nave is entered through finely engraved glass doors which were a gift to the Minster to mark the Millennium in 2000.

Postcode: TA19 0DU

Opening Times
Daily, 8.30am - 5pm (or dusk if earlier)

Service Times

1st Sunday	8am	Holy Communion BCP
	10.30am	Informal All-Age Worship
	6pm	Holy Communion CW
2nd Sunday	8am	Holy Communion BCP
	10.30am	Holy Communion CW
	6pm	Evening Prayer BCP
3rd Sunday	8am	Holy Communion BCP
	10.30am	Morning Worship CW
	6pm	Holy Communion CW
4th Sunday	8am	Holy Communion BCP
	10.30am	Holy Communion CW
	6pm	Evening Prayer BCP
5th Sunday	8am	Holy Communion BCP
	10.30am	Holy Communion CW
	6pm	Evening Prayer BCP