Shepton Mallet had an organised community at the end of the eighteenth century.In 1765 Fr John Brewer, a Jesuit, who served until his death in 1797, started a mission which included Wells and Ston Easton.The original chapel at Shepton Mallet was a room in the house of the Hippisley family in Market Place. (Before the arrival of Fr Brewer the Hippisleys had walked either to Bristol or to Bath; in due course, however, they were able to persuade Fr Alban Molyneux to come from Bonham every six weeks to officiate at Shepton). Fr Brewer lodged with this staunch Catholic family, paying them twenty pounds per annum.
His successor was Fr James Hussey who used his private income to buy a plot of land, part of Summerleaze Park.The chapel opened for public worship on 29 April 1804 and could seat a congregation of 200. Fr Hussey died in 1810 and was succeeded by Dr.William Coombes, a man noted for his learning and courtesy, who served the mission for thirty-nine years.
Fr Hussey’s church – originally dedicated to St Nicholas – served the Catholics of Shepton Mallet until 1965. Since 1862 the church had been dedicated to St Michael.
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