 Francis C. Eales published a book about ST. DECUMAN’S CHURCH in 1932 and his short summary for visitors still mostly applies today. His list of interesting points is:- 1. Fine geometrical east window with original tracery of the end of the 13th century. 2. Remarkable Perpendicular window tracery in south aisle, of a local type. 3. Fine North Aisle of another and later local type of Perpendicular work. 4. Splendid series of wagon roofs throughout the church with rich carving. 5. Considerable portions of rood-screen in nave and south aisle of earlier date than most other screens in the district, with the only parclose screen in the locality. 6. Stately Perpendicular west tower very like that of Minehead. 7. Good Perpendicular font with eight demi-angels supporting the basin. 8. A large number of fine 13th century tiles. 9. Early 17th century pulpit, sounding board and altar rails. 10. Important monuments to the Wyndham family, including a remarkable canopied tomb (canopy since demolished); fine 16th and 17th century brasses, some of a very rare embossed type. 11. Interesting modern altar and glass in south chapel. 12. Remains of churchyard cross. The chancel is unusually wide and may have been so to accommodate the tomb of St. Decuman, the whereabouts of which is now unknown. The Parish used to celebrate the “Translation of St. Decuman” to remember the moving of the tomb to the new building. The present structure has no features older than from the late 13th century. The earliest documentary evidence of a church at Watchet dates from about 1190 when it was given by Simon Brett to Bishop Reginald to form a prebend in Wells Cathedral. The original Norman building, apart from the chancel, underwent rebuilding in the 15th and 16th centuries when a centrally placed tower was demolished and the present one built at the west end. The wagon roofs date from this time and have decorated wall plates with carved angel supports. The roof bosses are of interest too.  The lower part of the rood screen across the south aisle is earlier than the central part, having been made before 1500 and at that time situated one bay further west and connectiong with a rood loft. The main section is newer and some of it is modern to replace part removed by the Earl of Egremont to form an opening on the west side of the family pew which was situated in the chancel. The upper part of the screen is Victorian. A parclose screen separates the chancel from the Wyndham chapel to the north. This may be older than the rood screen. 
 Monuments in the church are of interest. The oldest is an altar tomb on which there are brasses of Sir John Wyndahm who died in 1574 and his wife Elizabeth Sydenham who predeceased him by three years. The brasses show in fine detail the armour and dress of the day. Further brasses commemmorate their grandson and his wife who died in 1572 and 1596 respectively. John and Elizabeth’s son, also John married Florence Wadham (whose brother Nicholas founded Wadham College at Oxford). Tradition has it that soon after they were married, Florence apparently collapsed and died and was buried next day in the family crypt. That night the Sexton Tom Hole returned to the crypt to steal her rings. He could not remove the jewellery by pulling so tried to cut off her fingers. This caused Florence to come out of her coma. Tom fled and was never seen again. Florence returned home and had difficulty convincing her family that she was not a ghost. She made a full recovery and went on to have children. Members of the family to this day are not buried until at least three days after death.
 Other items to see in the church include the stained glass, funerial helments and some carvings. 
 The Patron Saint of the church, St Decuman, is supposed to have arrived here from Wales on a pile of faggots with a cow. This story is not unique. He is reputed to have lived an exemplary life here until one day he was beheaded by a madman who could not tolerate his saintliness. Decuman is supposed to have carried his severed head to the well where he washed. In some stories he replaced the head and was cured. From documentary and other evidence Decuman (Decumanus, Decombes) came from a devout family in Wales where Christianity was established earlier than it was in the West Country. He was an active missionary and organiser of Celtic monasteries in Southern Wales, North Somerset and West Cornwall. As Degemen he is patron saint of the parish of Roscrowther in Southern Pembrokeshire which was once a very important monastery. Near the church at Roscrowther is a well called by some St Decuman’s (but is also named after St. Agnes). There were two further chapels bearing his name in Cornwall.(Visit www.degibnaprayerchapel.org.uk for details of one of these). It would appear that Decuman was working with a group of monks who later were sainted including Petroc and Carantoc. The name Decumanus (Decimanus) in Latin meant “a farmer of tythes”. It seems that he was a Romanised Briton (The Britons lived in Wales while a tribe called the Sumorsaetas inhabited Somerset). There is no record of writings about Decuman until many years after his passing.  The original Chapel of the Holy Cross was built so that prayers could be said for the Fitzurse Family. A Chaplain carried out this duty. Reginald FitzUrze was one of the knights who murdered Thomas a Becket. He, together with Richard Brito, another of the murderers, had St. Decuman’s Church built and gave it to Wells Cathedral. The Chapel of the Holy Cross had other buildings with it and all were sold in 1548. They gradually became ruins and their exact whereabouts are not now known. The present building which also houses the Watchet Museum belongs to the Wyndham Family. It was a Mission to Seamen as well as a chapel in 1907. 
 Decuman’s Well is to be found near the Church and is one of the reasons why the latter is inconveniently situated away from the town. It produces clear water and has long been considered holy. The site has been regarded as sacred since Pagan times.It has been restored recently and provides a place for quiet reflection and prayer away from the bustle of everyday life. Baptisms and Services are carried out by the well sometimes. If a group of people wish to worship there, they are asked to register with the Vicar of St. Decuman’s who is responsible for ensuring that all worship respects the life-enhancing sacredness of the well. Such a place naturally has its legend. St Decuman was said to have carried his severed head there where he washed it and replaced on his shoulders and then continued with life as normal.  The late Bishop Andrew performing a baptism at the Well |
