Hemyock Parish Church occupies a central position in the village, alongside Hemyock Castle. Viewed from the main gate, the tower, the clock and the sundial may be seen, together with part of the Castle and our two very ancient yew trees. The piers that support the gates are of interest too, the stones from which they were built are "whetstone", dug on the Blackdown Hills, and traditionally used for sharpening scythes and hooks. The church is built of local flints and cherts.

The first written record dates from the year 1268, but it is obvious that parts of the building are much older. Remains of Norman arches may be seen in the interior walls of the tower and it would appear that the first church on the site was cruciform in shape with the tower at the centre. Originally the church had a spire on top of the tower, but it was removed in the late 1600’s and may be the reason why the present tower is not very high.

The church has had its dedication changed several times. In the 1400’s it was St Mary’s, after the reformation St. George was the patron saint, by the mid 1700’s it was St. Peter’s and it reverted to St. Mary’s in the 1760’s

Inside the building, the bowl of the font dates back to 1200. The southern aisle was formally a chantry dedicated to St. Katherine. On the west wall are the lists of the village charities, together with a list of the “Dog Whippers”.

The church is an interesting well-maintained building, in a very socially active and friendly village, it is well worth a visit.

B.C.