THE FRIENDS OF THURLESTONE CHURCH AND
THE CHURCH BUILDING TRUST
The Church has a rich history much of which has been documented in the Revd. Coope's excellent book "Thurlestone Church and Parish". In explaining the aims and purpose of the Friends of Thurlestone Church I have taken the liberty of reciting here a very brief outline of the story of this fine ancient building to emphasise the importance of its preservation for future generations to enjoy.
A building probably stood on the current site from the 9th Century onwards traditionally as a place of worship. From Church and Parish records it is clear that it also witnessed over the centuries bootlegging, murder, rebellious villagers and fighting Rectors.
The first record of a Church at a place called "Torlestan" appears in the Domesday Book of 1068. William the Conqueror awarded the Village, the Church and surrounding land to Judhel, one of his military commanders whose castle in Totnes is still intact today.
In 1100, during the reign of Henry l, a building of cob and thatch replaced one destroyed by the avenging sons of King Harold. This was replaced in 1230, at a time of a boom in agriculture, by a more permanent stone building. This year also recorded the first Rector, Henry, licensed by Pope Gregory lX.
In 1327 a "shedding of blood" in the Church is recorded. The details remain a mystery as does the recalcitrance of the villagers who refuse to pay for the purification of the Church. In the midst of this crisis the Rector, Robert de Pynho, applies for licence of absence to go on pilgrimage. Threatened with excommunication in 1328 village defiance is broken, the Church is re-sanctified and services resume.
In 1370 the first Antipope of the Great Schism, Clement the Vll, is elected by the French Cardinals in Avignon. The Rector of Thurlestone, Sir John Whyteleghe, goes to fight against Clement with the Bishop of Norwich again leaving the Parish priestless.
In 1400 and 1509 a new taller tower, with a beacon, and the South Porch respectively are added, the latter being approved by Henry Vlll himself.
In 1646 another fighting Rector, John Snell who had been appointed by Charles l, is besieged with Sir John Fortescue by Fairfax's parliamentarians in the Olde Bullwarke in Salcombe (now Fort Charles). He was reinstated as Rector in 1660 with the Restoration of the Monarchy.
In 1654 the oldest surviving bell is installed in the tower.
By 1800 smuggling is the local trade of the day. Smugglers stored their booty in the roof of the Church Porch. In 1839 the Rector, Peregrine Arthur Ilbert, refuses a bribe of a keg of brandy in a bid to end the smuggling in the village. He then rebuilds the tower in 1848 to repair a list. The kink can be seen to this day.
From 1941 to 1946 the Church was used by the Royal Marines, billeted in the Thurlestone Hotel, for their Church Parades. By 1948 a clock and a sixth bell had been added to the tower.
In 1994 at the time of the retirement of the Rector, Peter Stevens, there was real concern that the Diocese might not appoint a replacement and the Church might be made redundant as a place of worship as had occurred in South Huish a century earlier. This led in 1995 to the registration of a Charitable Trust to hold an Endowment Fund solely for the maintenance and preservation of the Church Building and its surrounds for the future.
The objective of the Friends of the Church is to raise funds for the Trust. The Friends are non-denominational and not confined to Parish residents. The Trust is governed by six Trustees and is independent of the Diocese and Parochial Church Council (PCC). Naturally we maintain a close liaison with the latter in matters relating to the building itself. The Parish Council and the PCC appoint one Trustee each.
Since 1995 the Friends have raised £250,000 and the Trust has made grants of £124,000 towards projects such as roof repairs, replacement of the organ, rewiring and lighting of the building, re-pointing of the tower, repair of the lych gate and re-leading of the stained-glass windows amongst others. In addition to the donation from the Trust Fund in 2015, Friends individually supported the Tower Appeal with gifts of a further £30,000.
In the immediate future we will be supporting the PCC with repairs to the tower roof and a continuation of the window project toward which works we have pledged some £30,000.
We are always keen to gain new members, particularly from those who are new to the Parish and those who are visiting Thurlestone for the first time. Help us to preserve this ancient building, for worship or simply for people to enjoy, as an architectural centre of the village. It has a long, interesting and in many ways unique history. Long may that continue.
C.W.M. Grose
Chairman of Trustees
For details of The Friends please contact:
Phil Millard (Secretary), email millardpj@hotmail.com
A building probably stood on the current site from the 9th Century onwards traditionally as a place of worship. From Church and Parish records it is clear that it also witnessed over the centuries bootlegging, murder, rebellious villagers and fighting Rectors.
The first record of a Church at a place called "Torlestan" appears in the Domesday Book of 1068. William the Conqueror awarded the Village, the Church and surrounding land to Judhel, one of his military commanders whose castle in Totnes is still intact today.
In 1100, during the reign of Henry l, a building of cob and thatch replaced one destroyed by the avenging sons of King Harold. This was replaced in 1230, at a time of a boom in agriculture, by a more permanent stone building. This year also recorded the first Rector, Henry, licensed by Pope Gregory lX.
In 1327 a "shedding of blood" in the Church is recorded. The details remain a mystery as does the recalcitrance of the villagers who refuse to pay for the purification of the Church. In the midst of this crisis the Rector, Robert de Pynho, applies for licence of absence to go on pilgrimage. Threatened with excommunication in 1328 village defiance is broken, the Church is re-sanctified and services resume.
In 1370 the first Antipope of the Great Schism, Clement the Vll, is elected by the French Cardinals in Avignon. The Rector of Thurlestone, Sir John Whyteleghe, goes to fight against Clement with the Bishop of Norwich again leaving the Parish priestless.
In 1400 and 1509 a new taller tower, with a beacon, and the South Porch respectively are added, the latter being approved by Henry Vlll himself.
In 1646 another fighting Rector, John Snell who had been appointed by Charles l, is besieged with Sir John Fortescue by Fairfax's parliamentarians in the Olde Bullwarke in Salcombe (now Fort Charles). He was reinstated as Rector in 1660 with the Restoration of the Monarchy.
In 1654 the oldest surviving bell is installed in the tower.
By 1800 smuggling is the local trade of the day. Smugglers stored their booty in the roof of the Church Porch. In 1839 the Rector, Peregrine Arthur Ilbert, refuses a bribe of a keg of brandy in a bid to end the smuggling in the village. He then rebuilds the tower in 1848 to repair a list. The kink can be seen to this day.
From 1941 to 1946 the Church was used by the Royal Marines, billeted in the Thurlestone Hotel, for their Church Parades. By 1948 a clock and a sixth bell had been added to the tower.
In 1994 at the time of the retirement of the Rector, Peter Stevens, there was real concern that the Diocese might not appoint a replacement and the Church might be made redundant as a place of worship as had occurred in South Huish a century earlier. This led in 1995 to the registration of a Charitable Trust to hold an Endowment Fund solely for the maintenance and preservation of the Church Building and its surrounds for the future.
The objective of the Friends of the Church is to raise funds for the Trust. The Friends are non-denominational and not confined to Parish residents. The Trust is governed by six Trustees and is independent of the Diocese and Parochial Church Council (PCC). Naturally we maintain a close liaison with the latter in matters relating to the building itself. The Parish Council and the PCC appoint one Trustee each.
Since 1995 the Friends have raised £250,000 and the Trust has made grants of £124,000 towards projects such as roof repairs, replacement of the organ, rewiring and lighting of the building, re-pointing of the tower, repair of the lych gate and re-leading of the stained-glass windows amongst others. In addition to the donation from the Trust Fund in 2015, Friends individually supported the Tower Appeal with gifts of a further £30,000.
In the immediate future we will be supporting the PCC with repairs to the tower roof and a continuation of the window project toward which works we have pledged some £30,000.
We are always keen to gain new members, particularly from those who are new to the Parish and those who are visiting Thurlestone for the first time. Help us to preserve this ancient building, for worship or simply for people to enjoy, as an architectural centre of the village. It has a long, interesting and in many ways unique history. Long may that continue.
C.W.M. Grose
Chairman of Trustees
For details of The Friends please contact:
Phil Millard (Secretary), email millardpj@hotmail.com