News & Updates

The combined December / January edition of the Together monthly magazine is now available.

You can get your copy right now by clicking here to either view or download.

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If you are looking for somewhere warm to spend some time this winter here is a list of places in Taunton offering a place to be in the warm.

The Minster is a warm space and is open Monday to Friday (9am -3pm), Saturday (9am – 2pm) and on a Sunday is open for our services.

Pupil chaplains from four primary schools across Somerset met for their annual pilgrimage at Taunton Minister on 15 November. Pupil chaplains usually come from year 5, they volunteer for the role, and are appointed, trained and commissioned.

The chaplains help lead prayer and worship, offer pastoral care to their fellow pupils, look out into the community and help, for instance, with food banks and dementia cafés. As a group they will meet regularly with their school chaplains to learn more about the Christian faith. The annual Pupil Chaplaincy Retreat gives the Pupil Chaplains the opportunity to celebrate and pray, to learn more about their role and to learn from each other.

Do join us for one, some…or all!… of our special Christmas services. Whether you come on your own or with others, you will be very welcome as we celebrate anew the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, Christmas is coming up fast and the Church prepares well for it with the preceding season of Advent (Latin adventus, “coming”).

And then to Christmas, where you’ll find all sorts of tree ornaments and other beautiful items. Look out for some great 2024 calendars, some featuring Taunton and Somerset scenes.

The Gifts & Books shop is ready for both the Advent and Christmas seasons with a wide selection of gifts. We have Advent calendars to suit all ages and, happily, our Advent selection features many calendars whereby when you open the calendar doors you’re greeted by a biblical verse—this helps us to keep ‘on message’ with the true meaning of the birth of Christ.

Please do come along and see all that the shop has to offer.

It’s an oasis of retail calm away from the jostle of the High Street and where you’ll find gift items that can’t be found elsewhere. And remember, every purchase helps support the Minster in its upkeep and mission because the shop is wonderfully managed by Cheryl and her team of volunteers.

Open Monday to Saturday, 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Gifts & Books

Saturday 16 December 2023 10am – 3pm

The Minster’s annual Christmas Fair coincides with eat:taunton and the Tower Open Day. Hammet Street (opposite the Minster), East Street and the Minster will be full of vibrancy with an array of food and gift items—there’ll be something for everyone.

The Christmas Fair will be inside the church and will showcase a variety of seasonal gifts with many handmade unique items.

The Gifts & Books shop inside the church will be open with many Christmas gifts too.

Magdalene’s Coffee Shop will be serving premium Mr Miles coffee together with light lunches, delicious homemade cakes and other season foodie things.

Come into the Minster and check us out!

Today, 14 September, it has been announced that our very own Magdalene’s Coffee Shop is the winner of the County Gazette Café of the Year!

You can read much more here.

This is a wonderful achievement for Mrs Sandra Hall, our volunteer manager, together with her team of dedicated volunteers. Without them, this acolade would not have been possible.

See more about the Coffee Shop here.

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The cafes nominated are:

• The Hive Café, Trull Church Community Centre, Trull, TA3 7JZ. 01823 330812
• Silver’s Pantry, Prockters Farm, West Monkton, TA2 8QN. 01823 413443
• The Rocking Horse Café, Brewers Water Farm, Crowcombe, Taunton, TA4 4BH. 07590 846727
• Courtyard Café, Museum of Somerset, Taunton, Castle Green, TA1 4AA
• Café Expresso, High Street, Taunton 38 High Street, TA1 3PN. 01823 352133
• The Brook, Avery’s Garden Centre, Taunton Silk Mills Road, TA1 5AA. 01823 618610
• The Weir, French Weir Park, Taunton TA1 1AW
• Mr Miles Tea Room, High Street, Taunton TA1 3PG. 01823 322288
• Magdalene’s Coffee Shop, Taunton Minster, Taunton, Church Square, TA1 1SA
• Block, Magdalene Lane, Taunton 4-6 Magdalene Lane, TA1 1SE