Melplash church was built in the 1840s on the profits of dismantling the slave trade.
Beaminster Team Vicar Revd Canon Jo Neary, who led a special service marking the UN day which commemorates the abolition of slavery, said: “Melplash church has a connection to slavery abolition through a man named James Bandinel, who was a civil servant who worked as a clerk in the Foreign Office and was the right-hand man of William Wilberforce, who steered the anti- slavery Bill through Parliament."
Bandinel’s father was the rector at nearby Netherbury, whose great desire was to build a church at Melplash. 
So the civil servant bought land in Melplash to build the church, the vicarage and the school with government money he received for his work around slavery abolition.
Rev Jo said: “The service recalled the historic connection with abolition and also considered modern slavery and shone a light on the continued patterns of racism and discrimination around the world and our desire to live better as humans, valuing everyone's freedom and equality."
Sam Wilberforce, the three times great grandson of Britain’s leading anti-slavery campaigner, was one of the speakers at the service and he reflected on abolition and the legacy of slavery, including the current challenges around reparations. He made a thoughtful link with the recent Cop 29 and how the Global North might make financial contributions towards the Global South to ensure development of clean energy sources.
The music was led by Dr Peter Nardone and songs included Amazing Grace, We Shall Overcome and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. As part of preparations for the service work was done with the local primary school, Salway Ash School. Years 5 and 6 studied the local connection to the abolition of slavery, and also learned about modern slavery. Their reflections were read by the headteacher, Leif Overment. They made connections with both the significance of history and the current need to do more to work towards equality and freedom for all.
Rev Jo said “Coming together to remember the abolition of slavery and to consider the legacy of slavery is important work. And there is still work to be done.
“Together with the children at Salway Ash school, we have explored how people are still exploited and held captive in modern slavery.
“Through this service and act of remembering we committed ourselves to equality and justice for all humans, so that everyone is free."
Mention was made in the service about the plaque on the wall of the church. In these words on the plaque, James Bandinel he outlines the promise that all the pews and seats in the church should be open to everyone, regardless of status. This desire for equality is a value that Christchurch, Melplash continues to uphold.