The ‘Five Mile Act’

In the 17th century there were periods when Christians who wanted to worship freely and simply according to the guidelines they found in the Bible (nonconformists) experienced severe persecution by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities.

This explains why they built their place of worship in this out-of-the-way location, for here they were on the border of three counties (Somerset, Devon and – at that time – Dorset), and of five parishes. So, whenever there was a risk of the gathered worshippers being arrested, their lookout gave warning and they escaped over the border.

In the early days believers travelled considerable distances to meet here. Some, of course, lived nearby, but others came from as far as Tiverton, Wellington and Taunton, many of whom travelled on foot.