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Ilminster Arts Centre began life in 1995, founded by artist and illustrator Mary Atherton and her husband Jim. What started as a local creative initiative has grown into a well‑established, thriving multi‑arts venue and registered charity, rooted in the heart of the community.
Our home is the historic former Unitarian chapel, built in 1718–19 and known locally as The Meeting House. It served as a place of worship until 1989, evolving many times over its long history. What began as a modest chapel for a small congregation expanded into a bustling town facility, complete with several hundred worshippers, a dedicated Sunday school and eventually a full junior school. Each chapter brought new extensions, improvements and layers of character to the building.
Today, that heritage is woven into every corner of the Arts Centre. Our boutique shop sits in the alcove where the church organ once stood, a small reminder of the building’s past life. The property remains privately owned and is leased to the Arts Centre, allowing us to preserve its history while giving it a vibrant new purpose.