St Gregory's Church, Dawlish
| St Gregory’s Church, Dawlish | |
|---|---|
St Gregory’s Church, Dawlish | |
St Gregory’s Church, Dawlish | |
| 50°34′49″N 3°28′46″W / 50.58028°N 3.47944°W | |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | cofe-in-dawlish |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | St Gregory the Great |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Years built | 1824-25 |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Exeter |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Exeter |
| Deanery | Kenn |
| Benefice | Dawlish with Holcombe, Cofton, and Starcross[1] |
| Parish | Dawlish with Holcombe |
St Gregory’s Church, Dawlish is a Grade II* listed[2] Church of England parish church in Dawlish, Devon.
History
The church retains a medieval tower, but the rest was rebuilt in 1824-24 under the supervision of architect Andrew Patey of Exeter. [3] The church re-opened on 1 May 1825.[4]
In 1851 a daughter church St Mark's Church, Dawlish was opened in the town.
Despite the later addition of galleries, the accommodation at St Gregory's was inadequate for a growing population, so the church closed for 18 months at the end of 1873 for enlargement.[5] The transepts were enlarged and a chancel was erected 43 feet (13 m) long by 22 feet (6.7 m) wide with an aisle on the southern side of it. An organ chamber was added and a vestry on the northern side. The architect for these alterations was James Piers St Aubyn and the contractors were Diment and Stevens of Bristol. The cost of these alterations was in the region of £6,000 (equivalent to £572,900 in 2023).[6]
Organ
On the rebuilding of the church in 1825 a new organ was provided, probably by Brooking of Exeter. This was replaced in 1888 by a new instrument by Lewis and opened on 7 February 1889.[7]
This instrument was later restored and enlarged again by Willis in 1951 and Eustace & Alldridge and now comprises 3 manuals and 42 stops. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[8]
Bells
The ring of eight bells in the key of F sharp comprises six dating from 1784 by John and Christopher Pennington and 2 from 1911 by Mears & Stainbank. The tenor weight is 594 kilograms (1,310 lb).[9]
Memorials
- Marble wall tablet to Francis Mary Hunter of Cavendish Square, London d.1803. Mourning woman, urn on pedestal. By John Flaxman.
- Marble wall tablet to Lady Elizabeth Pennyman d.1801, wife of Sir James Pennyman, 6th Baronet. Three mourning females, urn on pedestal by John Flaxman[10]
References
- ^ "St Gregory the Great". A Church Near You. The Church of England. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Historic England, "Parish Church of St Gregory (1164203)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 9 October 2025
- ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus (1952). The Buildings of England. South Devon. Penguin Books. p. 118.
Incorrectly titled St Michael's in Pevsner
- ^ "Dawlish New Church". Dorset Country Chronicle. England. 5 May 1825. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Re-opening of Dawlish Parish Church". Exeter Flying Post. England. 14 April 1875. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ UK Consumer Price Index inflation figures from 1209–2024 based on data from "Inflation calculator". Bank of England. London: Bank of England. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Dawlish". Totnes Weekly Times. England. 2 February 1889. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Devon, Dawlish, St. Gregory the Great [N10445]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ "Dawlish, Devon, S Gregory". Dove’s Guide for Church Bell Ringers. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Gunnis, Rupert (1951). Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851. Harvard University Press. p. 150.