The Parish Church

The Church People are after all the true Church; and We are part of the Modbury Team Ministry  The Team Clergy are Rev’d Neil Barker – 01548 830260, Team Rector living in Modbury and Rev’d Lesley Valiant living in Loddiswell.

 

The Church Services:  Church services are displayed monthly, on the external notice board by the gate, in the village newsletter and at the Holywell Stores, St. Anne’s Chapel. There is normally one service each Sunday in Ringmore at 9.30am, except where there is a 5th Sunday and where there is then a Team Service at one of the eight Churches. There are no other faith or denomination Worship Centres or Churches in the three villages, so we welcome those of all faiths or none.  Subject to special celebrations Services are as follows:-

1st Sunday  9.30am - Family Service.
2nd Sunday  9.30am - Family Service alternating with Holy Communion.
3rd Sunday  9.30am - Lay Led Family Service.
4th Sunday  9.30am - Family Communion Service, followed by fellowship, tea/coffee & biscuits in the church
5th Sunday (when there is one). Service in one of the eight churches in the Modbury team  for a united service (see Church board and Village Newsletter for details).

 

The Church Building of All Hallows, which means ‘all saints’, stands as a spiritual and architectural treasure in the village.  From the front porch it gives views down to the sea at Ayrmer Cove, and even out to the Eddystone Lighthouse.  The origins of the site as a place of worship go back to Saxon times before the Norman Conquest, and the Yew Tree in the graveyard may date from this period. The present building was built around 1240 and the tower was added in the 14th century.  It has changed little externally from that time, although the interior was extensively altered, with small pews installed by a Victorian Rector. Church services have been taking place in the church for nearly 800 years.  The church in Ringmore is maintained by the Parochial Church Council and there is a Friends association helping to maintain and care for the church building and its furnishings.

 

For The Visitor: All are welcome to use the Church, especially by coming to the Services, but also for private prayer, meditation or as an interested tourist.  For the tourist the Church has three rare and unusual features that make it a ‘must see’ attraction:-

  • The very rare medieval wall mural on the Chancel Arch. Please use the visitors book to give us your views of what this may represent. We already have six good suggestions and look for more.
  • The rose window at the back of the Church, see the ‘Visitors Quiz’ for the story attached to this.
  • The sundial over the main door is rare and historic.

In Spring through to Autumn you will find a Visitors Quiz on the font in the Church, and this provides fun for adults and children on those rainy days when the beach is not enough.  There are also information sheets giving much more detail on the history and architectural details, these are permanently in the Church which is open for visitors in daylight hours every day of the year.

 

Other Events : The Church also runs a number of fund raising events throughout e.g. on Shrove Tuesday and in May, Christian Aid coffee mornings.  The annual Church fete on August Bank Holiday Monday is well known over a very wide area and attracts visitors from all over the Country.  It is one of the biggest village social activities in the year and almost everyone participates.

 

We look forward to seeing you