Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh |
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Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh
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 Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh
Location in Devon
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| 50°40′46.9″N 3°52′57″W / 50.679694°N 3.88250°W | |
| OS grid reference | SX 67062 88383 |
| 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, Gidleigh is a very old church in the village of Gidleigh, Devon, in England. It was built in the late 1400s. This church is a special building, listed as Grade I listed because of its important history and beautiful design. It is a parish church that belongs to the Church of England.
Contents
History of the Church
The church building has been around for a very long time. It might have started as far back as the Saxon times or the Norman period. However, the church you see today was mostly rebuilt at the end of the 1400s.
Inside the Church
The main part of the church is called the nave. This area flows right into the chancel, which is where the altar is. Both sections have a special roof shaped like a wagon, made from strong Devon oak wood.
On the south side of the church, there is a side aisle. This aisle is separated from the nave by three arches, called an arcade. These arches are supported by columns made of granite, a very hard stone.
Special Features and Art
The rood screen is a beautiful wooden screen that dates back to the 1400s. In 1853, it was decorated with pictures of saints on its lower panels.
The font, where baptisms take place, is also from the 1400s. In 1843, a wooden cover was made for it by Charles Finch, who was the parish clerk.
In 1853, a local craftsman named John Aggett carved the pulpit (where sermons are given) and the lectern (where readings are done) out of granite. He also carved the reredos in 1868. A reredos is a decorated screen behind the altar. This one was first placed in Chagford church before coming to Holy Trinity.
The 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 five different sounds, called "stops." You can find more details about this organ in the National Pipe Organ Register.
Church Bells
The church tower holds a set of five bells. The three oldest bells are very ancient, dating back to around 1450. These bells are still rung from the main floor of the church.
The Old Rectory
The Old Rectory is a house that was built between 1896 and 1897. This was the home for the rectors (the main priests) of Gidleigh for many years, until the end of the 1900s. The first rector to live there was Reverend Burnett, who moved in during 1897. Today, the Old Rectory is a private home.
