The United Benefice of Great Torrington
comprising Great Torrington, Little Torrington, Frithelstock and Taddiport Churches
North Devon Choral Society Handel: Judas Maccabaeus
Saturday 9th December 7.30pm Based on the dramatic events c160 BC, this oratorio was a tribute to the victorious Prince William Augustus, who overcame Bonnie Prince Charlie, in the battles of England and Scotland in the mid 18th century. Full of well-known arias and choruses, the story ends with conciliation, peace and harmony. Do come along. |
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday 17th December 2023 6:30pm A traditional carol service based on the traditional service held each Christmas Eve since 1918 in the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. The service will include an equal mix of congregational and choir carols. The Winkleigh Singers directed by Roland Smith with David Read, organ. Retiring collection for church funds. |
AboutSt. Michael & All Angels' Church, Great Torrington
We are a friendly, welcoming church rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England, committed to dignified worship, and good music. You are most welcome to join us at any of our services. |
WelcomeService Times:You are most welcome to join us at any of our services.
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A Guide to the Church
Humphrey, a priest, was instituted as Vicar here on 22 February 1259. So there has been a parish church here for 700 years, and probably much longer than that. The oldest parts of this building are 14th century. Leyland’s Itinerary of about 1538 says, “Torington is a great large toune and stondith on the brow of an hille and hath 3 fair streates yn it and a good market everywke, and ons a yere apon St Michal’s day the best fayr in al those quarters. In the toune is but one paroch chirch. Dr Chaumbre is personne thereof.” |
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Little Torrington was originally a Saxon Settlement called Toritona. The Domesday survey of 1086 records that before the Norman Conquest in 1066 the Manor of Toritona was held by a Saxon called Edmar during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066). It is possible, therefore, that the first church to be built here was Saxon, dating from the early 11th century. |
WELCOME to Frithelstock Town and to the ancient Church dedicated to the Mother of our Lord and to the Pope who sent missionaries to convert our heathen forefathers to the Christian Faith and found the English Church.
The ruins at the north-eastern corner of the Church are all that is left of the Priory founded by Sir Robert de Bello Campo about the year 1220 and endowed for a small community of Augustinian Canons. His purpose was that there should be someone to pray for the repose of his soul for ever after his death. Bishop Walter de Stapledon who was born at Annery, the great house near Monkleigh, increased the endowments and is considered a co-founder with Sir Robert. The church building that still stands was probably built for the families of the Priory retainers and the inhabitants of the village which grew up nearby. |
Taddiport and the leper fields, from Castle Hill
From Castle Hill in Torrington there is a fine view over the Torridge to the parish of Little Torrington. In the bottom of the valley, on the Little Torrington side, by a fine mediaeval bridge, is the hamlet of Taddiport. A little further upstream are two narrow strip fields, popularly known as "leper fields", all that remain of a larger number which were there in living memory. |
Saturday 9th December 7.30pm Our concert on 9th December will be Handel's Judas Maccabaeus. Based on the dramatic events c160 BC, this oratorio was a tribute to the victorious Prince William Augustus, who overcame Bonnie Prince Charlie, in the battles of England and Scotland in the mid 18th century. Full of well-known arias and choruses, the story ends with conciliation, peace and harmony. Do come along. North Devon Choral Society was founded in 1952, and is a thriving, friendly choir that performs at least three concerts a year with top class soloists and accompanists, and with a professional orchestra as often as possible. Concerts are performed throughout North Devon, mainly in Torrington, Braunton and Barnstaple. We aim to use an orchestra at least once a year, and at Torrington Parish Church (St Michael and All Angels) we also have the benefit of their excellent Father Willis organ dating from 1864. Occasionally, we combine with Bude Choral Society and South Devon Choir to perform a joint concert in Barnstaple and Torbay. |
Sunday 17th December 6.30pm
A traditional carol service with a mix of favourite carols for all to sing plus some specials from the choir. The Winkleigh Singers is a Chamber Choir based in North Devon, rehearsing weekly on Monday evenings in Umberleigh. Further details (Winkleigh Singers website) |
St. Giles Events... |
Frithelstock Events... |
Taddiport Events... |
St. Michaels, Great TorringtonView map of United Benefice
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