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If you visit Okehampton, you will undoubtedly see the St James Chapel in the main road. You may wonder why the town does not have a full size church. It does and if you look up above the buildings, you will see it. Why did they build it up there, so far from the town? They didn't - the town moved down the hill! |
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Spend a little time in the Chapel and then, if it is a fine day in May, sunny but not too warm, take a trip past the supermarkets and up the hill a little way and you will find yourself in another world. Follow the leafy lane and there, on your right, the tower will appear out of the trees.
You can, of course, go by car. There is a spacious car park right outside. Just drive slowly and enjoy the peace. |
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The church was rebuilt after a fire. If you want to know when, you don't have far to go.
You can tell, however, that All Saints has been here far longer than that. You have only to count the headstones - I counted three separate cemetery plots. You have only to look down as you walk up the path - the stones are dated in the 1600's. Or, you can examine the grave cover in the doorway, dating from 1223 and belonging to a returning crusader. |
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If you choose to wander around the grounds, you will be torn between just enjoying the setting - the building, tree and plants and in becoming absorbed in the details on the headstones. |
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You may find, as I did, that the church itself is locked. I can only assume that they have suffered from thieves in the past, being in such an isolated spot. This is a great pity as I was not able to get any interior photos or to gather any leaflets or booklets to provide more information. |
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This is always a problem with places of worship which also have a history. I have no doubt that I could have gained entry and all the information I wanted, had I gone on a Sunday morning. But then I would not interrupt a service taking photographs. At what age does reading gravestones cease to be of historical interest and become an intrusion on someone's privacy? |
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I was fascinated by this plaque on the wall but relying on my schoolboy Latin did not get me very far. I am sure that a translation is obtainable in the church booklet. It did occur to me that this might be obtainable in the Museum of Dartmoor life, situated in the town. |
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If you are a visitor or if you are a local and have never been 'up the hill' to All Saints, do make an effort to visit. Bring a book and maybe a flask of coffee and then, after you have had your fill of the sights, just sit quietly, read, relax and enjoy the peace and beauty of the place. |
p.s. On 24th April 2005, I received an e-mail from Gilly Bromilow,
one of the Churchwardens at All Saints Church, who had seen this page and offered to open the church for me to look at the inside. She also said "
We are currently investigating whether the insurance company will allow us to keep the church open in daylight hours". I arranged to go along on 16th May so, to take a look at the interior, click here!
Gilly runs the website covering the Okehampton ministry North Moor churches. Take a look at www.northmoor-churches.org
Her husband John runs a site for
the Church Monuments Society with an excellent links page www.churchmonumentssociety.org
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