Parish Church
The historic church of St Margaret's at Stoodleigh lies in the Exe Valley six miles from Tiverton.
It is part of the Exe Valley Community made up of the 9 Anglican parishes of Calverleigh, Cruwys Morchard, Loxbeare, Oakford, Rackenford, Stoodleigh, Templeton, Washfield and Withleigh.
Exe Valley Rector
The Reverend Steph Gordon-Jeffs, The Rectory, Withleigh, Tiverton EX16 8JQ Tel: 01884 250417 or email: Steph@exevalleymissioncommunity.org
The Churchwarden:
Penny Norman - p.norman58@outlook.com or 01398 351602
Current services
Service dates and times will be advertised on the Events Calendar on this website as they are published. You can also see details of upcoming Services in the Exe Valley Churches Group at https://www.exevalleychurches.org/services/
Some history and information
The first recorded incumbent at St Margaret's was installed in 1264 and the current building dates from the 15th century. Restoration and enlargement by
Henry Woodyer took place in 1879-80 and over the next thirty years John Hardman of Birmingham fitted the stained glass.
The peal of six bells was installed by John Warner of London in 1867 but in July 2008 was deemed unsafe to ring. In Autumn 2009 a survey was carried out by Hugh Harrison, the internationally renowned conservationist, with wall painting conservationist, Madeleine Katkov, and PhD Researcher, Sue Andrew. This showed that work was also needed to preserve the medieval roof bosses and foliate head wall plates which depict the traditional 'green man'.
The bells have now been rehung in a new frame, and conservation work on the roof bosses and wall plates has also been completed.
The Stoodleigh bells are a light peal of 6, the tenor is 7-0-3.
Visiting ringers are welcome and should contact Philip Turner on 01398 351302. More information is available at Bellringers.
An Illustrated Guide to St Margaret's Church and an illustrated sheet detailing the 15th century foliate wall-plates and bosses have been published. Both contain colour photographs and the texts give a wonderful insight to this historic church and are available in the church. The Guide is £3.50 and the sheet £1.50 and they are sold in aid of St Margaret's.
More information about St Margaret's Church can be found at Exe Valley Churches website.