Kilpeck Hereford
01981 570209
http://www.kilpeckchurch.org.uk

St Mary & St David Kilpeck is part of the Ewyas Harold Group of Parishes.  For information on services see below.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE

Kilpeck Church is a jewel, described as ‘one of the most perfect Norman village churches in England…' [Pevsner]. In c.850 a charter records [in the Book of Llandaff] the gift of the Church with a surrounding estate to Bishop Crecielis; described as the cil, or retreat / cell, of Pedic in Ergyng, an area in the southern part of Herefordshire, it suggests an earlier dedication to an unknown Saint Pedic. The graveyard was originally rounded denoting an even older religious site. It was evidently an important and ancient site. The present building, in red sandstone, is a typical lay-out of nave, chancel and apse of c.1134-1145, though it may incorporate some Saxon masonry. The builder was Hugh de Kilpeck. The Church's glory is the wealth of decoration, originally painted and is the prime surviving example of the Herefordshire School of Sculpture. Much of it seems to have been produced about the time the church was given to the Benedictine Abbey of Gloucester in 1143; a priory of this Abbey was nearby. The sculptures on the south doorway, chancel arch and west window are magnificent. The eighty-five corbels, include a ‘sheela-na-gig', probably a fertility symbol. The massive font, is Norman or earlier, the gallery c.17th century. The church stands between the remains of Kilpeck Castle and the six acre deserted medieval village whose main road still serves as an access road to the church. There is a guidebook on sale in the church, as are copies of 'The Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture' (2nd edition, 2013) by Malcolm Thurlby, along with postcards and CDs.

For guided tours call 01981 570603 or email [email protected]

SERVICES. 

St Devereux Hereford
07432 873422
https://www.abbeydoredeanery.org/

St Devereux Church is part of the Ewyas Harold Group of Parishes.  www.wormbridgeandstdevereux.co.uk  For information on services see below.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE

The church is dedicated to Saint Dubricius, or Dyfrig, who was born in Herefordshire perhaps as early as c.450, traditionally in the village of Madley. His family were Christian, the area being Ergyng, in south Herefordshire, centred around the old Roman town of Ariconium. He founded two monasteries: at Hentland (Hennllann), possibly at Llanfrother Farm, and at Moccas; he was undoubtedly a noted missionary teacher in their famous monastic schools and is mentioned in the Book of Llandaff. He was a Bishop and he is said to have been promoted to be Archbishop of Wales. Stories connect him with Arthur. Saint Dyfrig died on Bardsey (Ynys Enlli); in 1120 his reputed relics were transferred to Llandaff Cathedral where his shrine can still be seen. He was certainly one of the most important of early Welsh saints and it is possible that he knew the Saint Devereux area because the circular mound on which the church stands indicates a very early religious site. The change of village name to Saint Devereux arose from confusion with the Devereux family, landowners, one of whom was the Earl of Essex the favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. The church has an Elizabethan chalice dated 1576. The nave is 13th century, though part may be earlier, the chancel and tower are 14th century but there has been modern restoration. Two of the three bells are 14th century and are inscribed to Scante Johannes and Sanctus Johannes respectively. The font is c.1500 and most of the interesting monuments and floor-slabs are 17th century. A Guidebook is available.

 

ST DEVEREUX FLOWER FESTIVAL Easter Weekend 2017 - Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11am to 4pm with Songs of Praise on the Sunday 16th at 3.00pm.

 

SERVICES.  We will be in vacancy from May 2017 and so the normal service pattern may be altered on account of availability of service leaders.

Our service is on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10am - Communion (CW Trad Lang.), or Matins (BCP) or an Informal Service.

We share services with Kilpeck on the first Sunday of the month (6pm) and with St Peter's Wormbridge on the third Sunday (10am).  On the fourth Sunday we worship elsewhere in the Ewyas Harold Group of Parishes.  On a 5th Sunday and the Sunday after Christmas there is a 10am Group Communion somewhere in the benefice.  EXCEPTIONS:-

EASTER SUNDAY, 16.4.17  -  10am HC (CW Trad) at Wormbridge.  3pm Songs of Praise at St Devereux for its Flower Festival that weekend (see above).

Harvest Festival in October shared with Wormbridge - to be arranged.

Christmas 2017:-

10.12.17  -  10am Holy Communion at ?   TBA

17.12.17  -  3pm Carol Service at ?   TBA.  

24.12.17  -  11.30pm Midnight Communion at Kilpeck (tbc).

Group/Deanery Services:-

Sun 30th April - Group Communion (CW Trad) at 10am in Dore Abbey with the Abbey Singers (our Rector's last service)

Sun 30th July 2017 - Deanery Eucharist at 10am in Dore Abbey with the English Choral Experience Consort (tbc).

29.10.17  -  Deanery Service, details tba.

31.12.17  -  10am Group Communion, details tba.

You are most welcome to join us.