Directory

Church Name:

St Stanislaus

Priest(s):

Rev Robert Miller

Address:

Bridge House, 2 High Street, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9HB

County:

Somerset

Parish Date:

(1955)

Deanery of Parish:

Taunton

History of Parish:

The present church of St. Stanislaus was established during the Second World War. This was due mainly to the initiative of Mrs. Aubrey Herbert of Pixton Park. The old laundry close to her house was converted into a spacious chapel and was first served by a visiting priest. This arrangement lasted until 1944 and the coming of Fr. (later Canon) O’Brien who resided in a cottage on the estate. In September 1945 Mrs. Herbert contacted Professor Albert Richardson, a distinguished architect, over the building of a new church at Dulverton, Professor Richardson later became President of the Royal Academy but as he was a close friend of Mrs. Herbert he gave his services gratis. After an extended search for a site a disused stable on the High Street came on the market. This building was skilfully adapted by Richardson and opened in 1955. The church contains a number of furnishings from the Pixton chapel. These include the sanctuary lamp, an Eric Gill crucifix suspended in front of the altar and the Portugese reredos behind it. The Lady Chapel has a copy of the icon of Vladimir. The statue of St. Stanislaus is sixteenth century Hungarian and stands on a plinth on which is carved an inscription to a former parish priest, Fr. (later Canon) Ronald MacDonald. Two circular windows were made at Buckfast Abbey. The window on the left contains a panel by the Irish stained-glass artist Evie Hone. The dedication of the church to St. Stanislaus of Cracow, patron saint of Poland and martyr, is probably unique among dedications of parish churches in England. This association is due to Auberon Herbert, Mrs. Herbert’s son, who fought alongside the Polish forces during the Second World War. In peacetime he devoted his energies to the resettlement of Polish servicemen who were unable to return to their native land. The parish is geographically one of the largest in the diocese and has one of the smallest congregations. Fr. Philip Caraman S.J. (1911–1998), the distinguished historian of English and Welsh Catholicism, was parish priest at Dulverton from 1986 until his death in 1998. Fr. Caraman was editor of The Month, Vice-Postulator, Cause of English and Welsh Martyrs 1965–1968 and Professor of Church History, St. Edmund’s Ware 1968–1970.He was a parish priest in Norway from 1976 to 1979.

Extract from 'The Diocese of Clifton 1850 – 2000' by Rev Dr J A Harding the Diocesan Archivist, available from the 'Publications' page of this site.

Sunday Mass:

Vigil 5.30 pm, 10.00 am

Holy Days:

7.30 pm

Weekdays:

As announced

Confessions:

Before and after any Mass or by appointment

General:

Dulverton Residential Centre, 6 High Street, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HB. Tel 01398 323024. For bookings please call Fr Robert Miller.

Telephone:

01398 324217

Fax:

01398 324217