St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church
4.5
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Grizelda S
Walton-On-Thames, UK11 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
An enthusiastically maintained Victorian church standing proud on a hill overlooking Appledore. Friendly positive welcome to this church with a bright interior and wonderful stained glass. Large cemetery, many tombstones reasonably maintained despite its difficult situation.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EESW1
Lincolnshire, UK5,535 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
St Mary's Church is at the northern end of the Quay, overlooking the Torridge estuary. It is surrounded by a large graveyard which contains the graves of many sailors drowned when attempting to cross the sand bank which forms a barrier to the Torridge estuary at low tide.
The present church replaces a smaller chapel. In 1834, the Rector wrote to the Bishop of Exeter asking permission to build a new and larger church in Appledore. Money was raised quickly and the new church was consecrated two years later.
It is a surprisingly large church inside with very wide central nave and narrow side aisles. Walls are whitewashed and the nave ceiling is painted blue with white ribs with carved bosses.
The brightly coloured east window has the Crucifixion in the centre. At the bottom is the Last Supper with the Nativity and Ascension on either side. At the top are the four evangelists.
The tiny St Anne’s Chapel at end of south aisle was dedicated in 1988. Above the altar is the Lundy Window with St Helena, the patron saint of Lundy carrying a boat and St Michael with an aeroplane. Sea birds include a puffin.
On the south wall of St Anne’s Chapel is a memorial window to the war dead of the Second World War. It depicts Jesus stilling the storm with the patron saints of sailors (St Nicholas), soldiers Sst George) and airman (St Michael) with a list of the war dead. On either side are the Colours of HMS Appledore.
Near it in the south aisle is the First World War window, listing the names of the dead along with two angels. One holds the chalice and the other a Martyr’s crown. Before them are figures representing those who lost their lives including a soldier, sailor, nurse and priest.
The Roll of Honour by the north door also commemorates the dead from the First World War. The names are on either side of a picture of the Crucified Christ looking down on a fallen soldier.
At the back of the church and somewhat hidden behind table and chairs is a modern mural entitled ‘The Industrial Christ’ depicting the dependence of Appledore on the sea. In the centre is Christ. On his left are three coastal craft with a selection of traditional ship building tools. On the right is an Appledore shipyard with a selection of modern welding and cutting equipment.
The carved stone pulpit continues the nautical theme with the stand representing a rope coil.
In the north aisle is the lovely Garden of Gethsemane window with Christ and and angel in the foreground. In the background is Jerusalem with the figures of Judas and the High Priests coming to arrest Christ.
This is a most attractive church inside with some particularly good stained glass, and is well worth visiting when in Appledore.
The present church replaces a smaller chapel. In 1834, the Rector wrote to the Bishop of Exeter asking permission to build a new and larger church in Appledore. Money was raised quickly and the new church was consecrated two years later.
It is a surprisingly large church inside with very wide central nave and narrow side aisles. Walls are whitewashed and the nave ceiling is painted blue with white ribs with carved bosses.
The brightly coloured east window has the Crucifixion in the centre. At the bottom is the Last Supper with the Nativity and Ascension on either side. At the top are the four evangelists.
The tiny St Anne’s Chapel at end of south aisle was dedicated in 1988. Above the altar is the Lundy Window with St Helena, the patron saint of Lundy carrying a boat and St Michael with an aeroplane. Sea birds include a puffin.
On the south wall of St Anne’s Chapel is a memorial window to the war dead of the Second World War. It depicts Jesus stilling the storm with the patron saints of sailors (St Nicholas), soldiers Sst George) and airman (St Michael) with a list of the war dead. On either side are the Colours of HMS Appledore.
Near it in the south aisle is the First World War window, listing the names of the dead along with two angels. One holds the chalice and the other a Martyr’s crown. Before them are figures representing those who lost their lives including a soldier, sailor, nurse and priest.
The Roll of Honour by the north door also commemorates the dead from the First World War. The names are on either side of a picture of the Crucified Christ looking down on a fallen soldier.
At the back of the church and somewhat hidden behind table and chairs is a modern mural entitled ‘The Industrial Christ’ depicting the dependence of Appledore on the sea. In the centre is Christ. On his left are three coastal craft with a selection of traditional ship building tools. On the right is an Appledore shipyard with a selection of modern welding and cutting equipment.
The carved stone pulpit continues the nautical theme with the stand representing a rope coil.
In the north aisle is the lovely Garden of Gethsemane window with Christ and and angel in the foreground. In the background is Jerusalem with the figures of Judas and the High Priests coming to arrest Christ.
This is a most attractive church inside with some particularly good stained glass, and is well worth visiting when in Appledore.
Written 19 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gundamuck
Exeter, UK292 contributions
Oct 2019
Inside it is pretty normal but go outside into the graveyard and you can really appreciate the lovely setting it enjoys
Written 8 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhodri P
Goytre, UK22 contributions
Sept 2019
Visited the church on a Sunday and it was open. The building is lovely with many fine features.The monuments to those lost at sea were poignant. The churchyard was fascinating and well kept.
Written 10 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fermentingtom
Dudley, UK159 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
St.Mary's Parish Church in Appledore resplendent in the sunshine with the floral poppy display, like a waterfall coming out of the Chancel window into the Churchyard, next to it another display representing the animals sacrificed in war, with discrete posters explaining the different coloured poppies representing the animals lost, very moving experience, well arranged, as was the small area upon entry with the crosses made by the children, well done St.Mary's.
Written 29 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clivel_98
Hereford, UK1,438 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Just up from the car park, this large church has pretty much every window full of stained glass.
The rood screen here is quite plain compared to many other churches in Devon (again, it is relatively young).
The rood screen here is quite plain compared to many other churches in Devon (again, it is relatively young).
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albywon
Sydney, Australia13,655 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Attractive Parish Church in the lovely Riverside town of Appledore. Nice setting and lovely interior. Some nice stained glass windows which date from the early 20th Century (see photos).
Written 4 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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