Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh
Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh
Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh Location in Devon
50°40′46.9″N 3°52′57″W / 50.679694°N 3.88250°W / 50.679694; -3.88250
Location	Gidleigh
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Dedication	Holy Trinity
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I listed
Designated	22 February 1967
Administration
Parish	Gidleigh with Throwleigh
Deanery	Okehampton
Archdeaconry	Totnes
Diocese	Exeter
Province	Canterbury

Holy Trinity Church in Gidleigh is a really old church, built in the late 1400s. It's a special building, listed as 'Grade I', which means it's super important historically. It's part of the Church of England and is located in a village called Gidleigh in Devon, England.

History of the Church Building

This church has a long history, possibly going back to Saxon or Norman times (that's over 900 years ago!). But most of what you see today was rebuilt around the late 1400s.

Church Design and Features

The main part of the church, called the nave, connects right into the chancel (where the altar is). Both are covered by a special "waggon-shaped" roof made from strong Devon oak wood. On the south side, there's a side aisle, separated from the nave by three arches supported by granite columns. At the west end of the church, there's a tower where the church bells are kept. These bells are rung from the ground floor of the church.

Historic Rood Screen

The beautiful screen that separates the nave from the chancel is called a rood screen. It was built in the 1400s. In 1853, it was decorated with pictures of saints along its lower panels.

Old Church Furniture

The font, which is a large basin used for baptisms, also dates back to the 1400s. It has a wooden cover that was made in 1843 by Charles Finch, who was the parish clerk at the time. In 1853, a man named John Aggett carved the granite pulpit (where sermons are given) and the lectern (where readings are done). He also carved the reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) in 1868. This reredos was first used in Chagford church before coming to Gidleigh.

Church Organ

The church has a pipe organ located at the back of the south aisle. It was built by a company called Murdoch, Murdoch and Company from London. This organ has 5 "stops," which are like different sets of pipes that make various sounds. You can find more details about this organ in the National Pipe Organ Register.

Church Bells

The tower holds a set of 5 bells. The three oldest bells are very ancient, dating back to around 1450!

The Old Rectory

The Old Rectory is a house that was built between 1896 and 1897. It was where the rectors (the main priests) of Gidleigh lived until the end of the 20th century. The first rector to live there was Reverend Burnett, who moved in during 1897. Today, it is a private home.

Past Rectors of Gidleigh

Here is a list of the rectors who have served Holy Trinity Church over many centuries: