List of churches in Mid Devon facts for kids
Mid Devon is a lovely area in Devon, England. It's known for its beautiful countryside and many historic buildings. This article will tell you about the different churches you can find in Mid Devon, both old and new.
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Churches in Mid Devon
Mid Devon has lots of churches! There are about 113 churches for around 79,800 people. That means there's roughly one church for every 706 people living there. Each town and village in Mid Devon has at least one church. These churches belong to different Christian groups, like the Church of England, Methodist, Roman Catholic, and Baptist churches.
Exploring Active Churches
Most churches in Mid Devon are still active today. They hold services and are important parts of their communities. Many of these buildings are very old, some even dating back to the Middle Ages!
Church of England Churches
The Church of England has the most churches in Mid Devon. Many of them are dedicated to saints like Saint Mary, Saint Peter, or Saint Andrew.
- Ancient Buildings: Many Church of England buildings are medieval. For example, St Michael & All Angels in Bampton and St Bartholomew in Bow have stood for hundreds of years.
- Unusual Stories: Some churches have interesting histories. St Bartholomew's Church in Bow was built by a knight named William de Tracy. He built it as a way to say sorry for his part in the murder of Thomas Becket, a famous archbishop, a long time ago.
- Unique Names: You might find churches with unusual dedications, like St Disen in Bradninch. It was originally dedicated to Denis, a French saint.
- Newer Buildings: Not all churches are ancient. St Andrew's Church in Tiverton was built in 1971, showing that new churches are still being built.
Other Christian Churches
Besides the Church of England, you'll find many other Christian churches in Mid Devon.
- Methodist Churches: There are several Methodist churches, like the one in Cheriton Fitzpaine and Culmstock. Many of these buildings were built in the 1800s.
- Baptist Churches: Baptist churches are also common, such as Bradninch Baptist Church (built in 1832) and Hemyock Baptist Church (opened in 1865).
- Congregational Churches: You can find Congregational churches too, like the one in Crediton which started in 1757.
- Roman Catholic Churches: The Roman Catholic community has churches like St Boniface in Crediton and St Boniface in Cullompton.
- Other Denominations: Mid Devon also has churches from other groups, including the United Reformed Church and the Salvation Army.
Churches That Are No Longer Active
Some church buildings in Mid Devon are no longer used for services. They are called "defunct" or "redundant" churches.
Examples of Defunct Churches
- All Saints, Blackborough: This church, located in Kentisbeare, was dedicated to All Saints. Sadly, it was demolished in the 1990s because it became unsafe.
- St John the Evangelist, Tiverton: This Roman Catholic church in Tiverton was built between 1836 and 1839. It stopped being used for services in 2005.
