The Friends of Throwleigh Church is a charitable organisation founded in 2010.  We aim to raise funds towards the maintenance and improvement of the church building, its contents and surrounding land.  We also encourage the enjoyment and appreciation of the church by organising a variety of events.  We  hope that the Friends will provide an opportunity for those who use or visit the church to help preserve the fabric of this lovely building for the benefit of present and future generations.  Our members might include, for example, people attending weddings, christenings and other events, and local residents or visitors who value the building and its history.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin

Throwleigh is a parish of about 300 people on the north-eastern fringes of Dartmoor, approximately three miles from Chagford and six from Okehampton.  The granite church and its Church House (now privately owned) form the centrepiece of `Throwleigh Village’, although the parish extends almost to Chagford.  St. Mary’s enjoys a special position in the affections of many people, a considerable proportion of whom are not part of the church’s regular congregation.

The first recorded rector was in 1248, but most of the present church dates from the 15th and 16th centuries.  There is a very fine priest’s door and an interesting Easter Sepulchre – a rare survival in a church of this size.  The wagon roofs of the chancel and north aisle are decorated with intricate carving  and some interesting bosses.  These include a Green Man and the Three Hares in the north aisle.  In the 20th century, the church followed an Anglo-Catholic tradition under Fathers Lowe and Drew;  during this period some restoration was carried out by Herbert Read of Exeter.  The east window portraying the Annunciation is by Sir Ninian Comper, whose many commissions include work for Westminster Abbey and Downside in Somerset.

Projects

Our contributions and profits from our events enable us to support many improvements to the fabric of the church.  The most important was the provision of toilet facilities. This allows greater use of the church for a wider community (including our many concerts and events), and helps to ensure its survival as a working building.  We contributed to improvements in the vestry, and the redecoration of the nave,  north aisle and chancel.  We have also replanted the garden next to the porch.

Please join us

Please download and print our membership form and post it to the address on the form.

Please also complete the banker’s order if you are making a regular contribution, and the gift aid declaration if you pay tax in the UK.

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