The Mission Church of St Barnabas, Ham

 Part of the Church of England Parish of Combe St Nicholas.

 At the turn of the twentieth century it had long been felt that the distance of about two miles, which separated Ham from the parish church of Combe St Nicholas, prevented many from attending the services held there.  It was with this view of obtaining a mission church at Ham that within a few weeks an energetic committee consisting of Messrs E.Elliott, F.Marshall, E.Slade and W.J.Lumbard set to work.

They found this building, a barn dated 1848, which they considered could be made suitable for their purpose. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners were approached and they subscribed a sum nearly sufficient to buy the building. The then Vicar, Rev. George Ellwell, undertook to conduct services here several times a month with the help of Mr Roger Buston of Combe Head.  Tenders were invited for the work needed on the building, that included adding the East end and this was put into the hands of William Stone of Buckland St Mary.  The residents and friends of the parish met the expense. Then on Whit Monday 1903 the building was dedicated by the Bishop of Bath & Wells.  A Tea and Concert attended by about 150 people followed in a nearby barn and the proceeds amounted to some £6.

The pews were taken from the parish church. Note the numbers on the ends; maybe this was intended as a joke amid such an impossible amount of space.  In 1955 the hymn board was given in memory of a local farmer, Francis Elliott, who lived at Ham Hill Farm.  Seating capacity is 35 to 40 maximum; above this extra chairs are rushed from the house opposite and bales of straw from the barns.  There is no electricity and therefore no services are held during the winter months; but from April to September inclusive, evensong is held on 1st and 3rd Sundays at 6pm each month.

This little church is very much alive and loved by many.  Our average attendance since 1991 has been 26 at each service.  The final service for each year is Harvest Thanksgiving when the donations for the produce have raised over £100 for St Margaret's Hospice in Taunton each year since 1998.

The church can be located at map reference 294134. Travel from Combe up Stoopers Hill. Cross the junction with the Chard/Taunton road and take the next right opposite Combe Beacon. At the next two junctions keep to the left and Ham Church is on your right opposite a house, approximately 150 yards from the junction of Ham Hill on the A303. Other than at service times the Church is locked.            

T