St Andrew's Church, Moretonhampstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church, Moretonhampstead |
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St Andrew's Church, Moretonhampstead
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 St Andrew's Church, Moretonhampstead
Location in Devon
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| 50°39′40.1″N 3°45′44.5″W / 50.661139°N 3.762361°W | |
| OS grid reference | SX 75532 86092 |
| Location | Moretonhampstead |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Andrew |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 23 August 1955 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Moretonhampstead |
| Deanery | Moreton |
| Archdeaconry | Totnes |
| Diocese | Exeter |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Andrew's Church in Moretonhampstead is a very old and important church. It's a Grade I listed building, which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. This church belongs to the Church of England and is located in the lovely village of Moretonhampstead in Devon, England.
Contents
History of the Church Building
The church has a tower that was built in the early 1400s. The main part of the church, called the nave, and its side sections, known as aisles, were added later in the 1400s.
Changes in the 1800s
Between 1856 and 1857, the church got new seating. Workers started on the north side in October 1856 and finished the south side soon after. A very old screen that separated the main church from the altar area was taken out because it was in bad shape.
Major Updates in the Early 1900s
The church had another big renovation between 1904 and 1905. The area around the altar was made longer by about 2.7 meters. This was done to make space for a new organ. The organ was a gift from Mr. Tilby, who wanted to remember his wife.
A beautiful new stained glass window was also put in. It was a tribute to William Henry Smith. A new screen was built near the altar, designed to look like the old one that had been removed. All the old seats were replaced with new oak pews. The wooden floors in the aisles were changed to fancy Minton tiles.
The old balcony at the back of the church was removed. The roof was replaced with a special oak roof that looks like the inside of a wagon. The plaster was taken off the church walls, and a new heating system was installed. The new altar was officially blessed by the Bishop of Exeter on April 6, 1905.
The Church Organ
The church's organ was put in by a company called Hele & Co from Plymouth in 1905. It cost £800, which was given in memory of Pauline Eugenie Tilby. The organ was first played on Thursday, June 15, 1905. The organist was Daniel Joseph Wood, who was the organist at Exeter Cathedral. In 1946, an electric blower was added to help the organ work.
Today, the organ has three keyboards and 34 different sounds it can make. You can find more details about this organ in the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organists of St Andrew's Church
Many talented people have played the organ at St Andrew's Church over the years. Here are some of them:
- George Osborne Brown (1854 - 1860)
- Miss E.A. Treleaven (1860 - 1867)
- Mr. Rihill (1867 - around 1871)
- Miss Clack (until 1876)
- W. Sanders (1876 - 1877)
- George Satterley (1877 - 1902)
- A.E. Chapman (1902 - 1903)
- Miss Esther West
- A.W. Cooper (1906 - ????)
- A. Theodore Sanger (1909 - 1913)
- W.R. Weaver (1914 - 1916)
- Irene Chudleigh (1916 - 1924)
- W.R. Weaver (1924 - 1932)
- Mr. Cross (around 1934)
- Keith Hortop (late 1970s - 1986)
- Henry Brinkworth (1986 - 2007)
Church Bells
The church tower holds a set of 8 bells. These bells were made by Gillett & Johnston in 1922. The Bishop of Exeter officially blessed them on December 1, 1922.
