St Paul's Wootton Fitzpaine is not easy to find! But when you do you will find a beautiful ancient parish
church with a real sense of peaceful tranquillity. The circular graveyard is an indication that it is an
ancient spiritual site and we are seeking to develop and sustain the church as a welcoming and quiet
space for everyone whatever their beliefs and background. Being inclusive is very important to us. We
hold the following regular services and events:
Morning worship on the first Sunday of the month at 11 a.m.. This is an Anglican service using Common
Worship in which we provide a space for quiet contemplation, thoughtful preaching, joyful singing of
mainly traditional hymns – and we encourage people to participate as they feel comfortable: sharing their
views and asking their questions.
Meditation on the second Sunday of each month at 11 a.m.. We gather together as a small group of
people who practice meditation or want to learn how to meditate. We come from a variety of different
backgrounds but enjoy meditating together in the quiet, sunlit space of the south chapel which we think
is an ideal place for meditation.
Taize (pronounced Tez A) services are held four times a yearat 5 p.m. including on the Monday of Holy
Week(6 p.m.) and New Year’s Eve. This is a peaceful and contemplative service which uses the
beautiful Taize chants and readings from a wide-range of sources with a spiritual dimension.
We hold communion services on Easter Day and Christmas Day and also a harvest festival when we
invite a local food or drink producer to share with us and a Remembrance Day service normally in the
village hall, and not to forget our most popular service - a traditional Christmas Eve carol service with
special music.
The church building has its origins in C13 and C15 although the north transept, vestry and major
restoration are of 1872 by George H. Birch. Wootton Fitzpaine appears to be the only church this
architect was responsible for in Dorset. The pulpit is constructed from Jacobean panels and must be the
longest in Dorset. The font has a scalloped stem and Sir Nikolaus Pevsner thought it might have been a
Norman capital.The building is interesting for a number of reasons. The nave is probably what you might
expect for a church serving such a small and scattered community, but the chancel, south aisle and
north transept are very generous. It is available for weddings, funerals and baptisms as well as other
occasional events such as concerts.
The church is always open as a place of prayer, meditation or just as a quiet space
We are part of the Golden Cap benefice (https://www.goldencapchurches.org/) see the website for more
up-to-date information and a part of the diocese of Salisbury
Contact: James Ashdown our parish minister for any enquiries (01297) 561148 jashdown44@gmail.com.
Directions: Coming from Whitchurch you pass the sign for Wootton Fitzpaine, then the graveyard and
Manor farm and the entrance to the church is through the gateway on the left – take the second turning
on the right when the church should come into view.
Coming from Charmouth and the A 35. From the village hall take School Lane running directly away from
the entrance to the village hall then, at the T-junction in the village turn right over the bridge go uphill for
a short way then the gateway will be on the right – take the second turning on the right and the church
should come into view.