Catholic Diocese of Clifton
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Welcome to the Parish of St Michael's, Shepton Mallet. |
Welcome
to the St Michael's parish website. The
parish of St Michael's is situated in the
market town of Shepton Mallet in Somerset, within the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton.
The parish currently holds up to 200 registered members.
This website will hopefully provide you with up to date information about the parish, services and events, and the contacts you need for help or further information. The SM logo (top left) on each page will return you to the website Home Page.
St Michael's Church
The first
Catholic Chapel in Shepton Mallet from 1765 - 1804 was a simple room in one of
the houses in the Market Square. In 1804 a Church was built at Summerleaze Park - this
is still there though now a private residential house. The parish Church was dedicated
to Saint Nicholas until 1850 when the dedication was changed to Saint Michael.
The Church at Summerleaze Park served the Catholic community of Shepton
Mallet until 1966 when present church of Saint Michael on the corner of
Langhorne Park was dedicated.
The present Church was built in 1966 on land
donated by the convent, now St Paul's School. The Church is situated in Park
Road between the grounds of St Paul's School and Collett Park. Behind the Church
is the Presbytery and the Parish Room.
In 1765 Father John Brewer, a Jesuit Priest, who served the town until his death in 1797, started a mission which included Wells and Ston Easton. He opened the original chapel at Shepton Mallet which was a room in a house in Market Place. The house was owned by the Hippisley family who before the arrival of Father Brewer had walked either to Bristol or to Bath to attend Mass.
In 2002 the old paddock behind the presbytery was transformed into a beautiful garden, with lawns, flower beds, trees, shrubs and a Lourdes Grotto.
The garden is maintained by parish members and available for parish events or as a peaceful location for parish members to enjoy.
If you have any feedback or submissions for publication on this website then please us the 'Feedback' form accessible via the Home Page. A link to the Home Page is available on each page via the St Michael's (SM) logo.