Priest in Charge of the Offwell Mission Community
(The Benefice of Offwell, Farway & Widworthy)
(The Benefice of Offwell, Farway & Widworthy)
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Revd. Jeremy James Putnam
01404 831911 Email: jeremyputnam@parish-church.com Church Wardens at St Mary's Church, Ramsden Lane, Offwell, EX15 9SA Jonathan Paveley: 01404 831450 David Pavey: 07984 025526 |
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The church is now open every day between 10.00am and 4.00pm.
NB. Please use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the Church and please remember to maintain social distancing.
NB. Please use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the Church and please remember to maintain social distancing.
News 2023
The New Benefice Website For The Parish Churches of Widworthy, Farway & Offwell Is Now Live!
www.parish-church.com • www.offwell.church • www.farway.church • www.widworthy.church
The new Benefice website will cover regular church news, church affairs and church events. Information on repair and renovation projects; how, why and where you can help with Parish finances; Church and community surveys – they’re all there at the click of a mouse, plus direct access to parish posts on Facebook. By signing up to the monthly newsletter you can receive regular digital copies of The Link, via email, and if you have parish news for inclusion on the website email: parisheslink@gmail.com.
The new Benefice website will cover regular church news, church affairs and church events. Information on repair and renovation projects; how, why and where you can help with Parish finances; Church and community surveys – they’re all there at the click of a mouse, plus direct access to parish posts on Facebook. By signing up to the monthly newsletter you can receive regular digital copies of The Link, via email, and if you have parish news for inclusion on the website email: parisheslink@gmail.com.
Preparing For The Future, whilst Preserving The Past
We are preparing to renovate and reorder the interior of St. Mary’s Church. We are seeking your support to widen the nave aisle, re-establish the font to its original position and repair many of the box pews.
The work will enable us to provide greater hospitality to visitors and worshippers during events and services. By widening the nave aisle our ability to host funeral services and weddings will be enhanced giving enough space for two people to walk side by side, and for those with mobility restrictions greater access. The renovation work to the box pews will ensure they can continue to be used for years to come. The repositioning of the 15th century font to the south aisle will return it to its original location, but will also create space for groups to meet, and hospitality to be provided.
Unfortunately, the project will be extremely costly in time and money and therefore we seek the support of our community as well as visitors, and through charitable grants.
One piece of work currently underway is a pew timber survey, being conducted by a consultant specialist for the conservation of historic timber. In this survey the reconfiguring of the pews will be planned in such a way that limits harm and keeps the integrity of the original panelling. Once this has been carried out, the Parochial Church Council will be asking the Diocesan Advisory Committee for their recommendations prior to the faculty application being submitted to the Chancellor. We hope that by the end of the summer we can then move forward with fundraising and making early preparations for the work to be carried out.
If you would like to support the project please scan the QR code with your mobile phone, or go to our website to make your gift - and please don't forget to gift aid your donation, if you are eligible to do so.
Revd. Jeremy Putnam, June 2023
The work will enable us to provide greater hospitality to visitors and worshippers during events and services. By widening the nave aisle our ability to host funeral services and weddings will be enhanced giving enough space for two people to walk side by side, and for those with mobility restrictions greater access. The renovation work to the box pews will ensure they can continue to be used for years to come. The repositioning of the 15th century font to the south aisle will return it to its original location, but will also create space for groups to meet, and hospitality to be provided.
Unfortunately, the project will be extremely costly in time and money and therefore we seek the support of our community as well as visitors, and through charitable grants.
One piece of work currently underway is a pew timber survey, being conducted by a consultant specialist for the conservation of historic timber. In this survey the reconfiguring of the pews will be planned in such a way that limits harm and keeps the integrity of the original panelling. Once this has been carried out, the Parochial Church Council will be asking the Diocesan Advisory Committee for their recommendations prior to the faculty application being submitted to the Chancellor. We hope that by the end of the summer we can then move forward with fundraising and making early preparations for the work to be carried out.
If you would like to support the project please scan the QR code with your mobile phone, or go to our website to make your gift - and please don't forget to gift aid your donation, if you are eligible to do so.
Revd. Jeremy Putnam, June 2023
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Offwell Celebrations For The Coronation Of King Charles III
The children in Oak Class at Offwell Primary School completed a Coronation Display which can still be seen in St. Mary’s Church. The children were inspired by being shown three pieces of memorabilia from the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. One was a miniature replica of the Coronation Spoon, used to anoint the Monarch with holy oil. Another was a copy of the Order of Service for the Ceremony and finally a model of the Coronation Chair, made by order of King Edward I and brought to Westminster Abbey in 1296.
NB. You can find more information about the village Coronation Tea in The Link June/July 2023 plus photos in the Photo Gallery.
NB. You can find more information about the village Coronation Tea in The Link June/July 2023 plus photos in the Photo Gallery.
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Offwell Primary School, Summer Church Display
During the Summer Term Oak Class will be turning their attention to learning about the history of medieval church stained glass windows and producing their own facsimilies. The children will be inspired by the medieval window in the south wall of the Chancel in St. Mary’s which contains fragments of ancient stained glass.
In Europe the art of stained glass reached its height between 1150 and 1500, when magnificent windows were created for great cathedrals. Most of what is known about medieval stained glass making comes from a twelfth century German monk who called himself Theophilus. |
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The 'Warm Welcome' Campaign
The Warm Welcome Campaign is a national initiative that seeks to support and champion a community response to the cost-of-living crisis. Over the coming weeks we will make up a list of support; signposting people to resources that may help us cope better with the energy crisis and the rising costs of basic essentials. This list is not exhaustive, do let us know if there is anything else in addition we can share. More information... You can find a list of Warm Spaces on www.warmwelcome.uk |
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Licensing by the Bishop of Exeter of Revd Jeremy Putnam took place at St. Mary’s on Monday 26th September 2022
All Service details, including Bible Readings, for the Offwell Benefice (Offwell, Farway and Widworthy) can be found on The Link.
Learn about the men, women and children buried in St. Mary’s vaults and graveyard. Paper copies of the 14 page document, "St. Mary’s Churchyard, Offwell” are available in church to borrow while you explore, or you can view it here.
For literature, publications and downloads about St. Mary’s and Offwell village please go to our 'History of Offwell' page.
(This page lists publications that are available as downloads, to purchase and printed document folders available to read in church.)
All Service details, including Bible Readings, for the Offwell Benefice (Offwell, Farway and Widworthy) can be found on The Link.
Learn about the men, women and children buried in St. Mary’s vaults and graveyard. Paper copies of the 14 page document, "St. Mary’s Churchyard, Offwell” are available in church to borrow while you explore, or you can view it here.
For literature, publications and downloads about St. Mary’s and Offwell village please go to our 'History of Offwell' page.
(This page lists publications that are available as downloads, to purchase and printed document folders available to read in church.)
Benefice Coffee Morning
3rd Thursday of every month, 1030am – 12.00noon – Offwell Village Social Club Room
Whether you go to church or not you will be made very welcome You just have to enjoy coffee, homemade cake and a chat!
3rd Thursday of every month, 1030am – 12.00noon – Offwell Village Social Club Room
Whether you go to church or not you will be made very welcome You just have to enjoy coffee, homemade cake and a chat!
Bell Captain: John Tristram 01404 831404, bjtristram@gmail.com
Service ringing is the first Sunday of the month, 9.00 - 9.30am and as arranged.
Service ringing is the first Sunday of the month, 9.00 - 9.30am and as arranged.
