Directory

You can search the diocesan database for parishes and mission communities and to find out contact details for clergy, readers and parish officers, where they have given their permission to be included.

Benefice Details for Shirwell, Loxhore, Kentisbury, East Down with Arlington, Bratton Fleming, Challacombe and Stoke Rivers

Archdeaconry: Barnstaple
Deanery: Shirwell

Clergy in the benefice

The Rev Preb Rosie Austin
Rector

The Parsonage, 1 The Glebe, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, EX31 4RE
Tel: 01598 711962
Email The Rev Preb Rosie Austin

Parishes in the benefice

Bratton Fleming with Stoke Rivers

Challacombe

East Down with Arlington

Kentisbury

Loxhore

Shirwell

Bishop Mike Confirmed as Bishop of Exeter in Historic Lambeth Palace Ceremony

The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison has been confirmed as the new Bishop of Exeter by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a service steeped in history at Lambeth Palace in London. The ceremony, which includes elements of a medieval court of law, is known as the Confirmation of Election. Its origins date from the fourth century AD. The Confirmation confers the spiritual jurisdiction of the diocese (in this case Devon) over to the bishop and…

Devon Church Launches Voices of Woolsery Digital History Trail

An historic church in North Devon has created a new interactive trail for visitors which will tell the history of the church and surrounding area. The InfoPoint includes a digital trail of All Hallows Church in Woolsery, including surprise puzzles and quizzes, funded with a heritage lottery grant. Visitors are able to access the audio and visual archive by scanning a QR code on the InfoPoint to find out about the history of the church…

Bishop Jackie Announces Her Retirement

The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, has announced she plans to retire at the end of January 2025. Bishop Jackie has served as Bishop of Crediton for six years, after being consecrated a bishop in 2018. For the last year she has been, in addition, the Acting Bishop of Exeter, overseeing the Diocese of Exeter since the retirement of Bishop Robert last September. Bishop Jackie said: “It has been the privilege of…

Women take the plunge with baptisms at Lido after Alpha course

St Disen’s Church in Bradninch recently celebrated the baptisms of two adults, Jo and Hana, who both became Christians through an Alpha course which was held at the church. The full immersion baptisms took place at Clyst Honiton Lido. Both Jo and Hana enjoy being outdoors, so they wanted their baptisms to be outside instead of an inside pool. Having the baptisms at Clyst Honiton Lido was particularly special for Jo, who holds fond memories…

Master Glazier Andrew Johnson in front of broken window

Restoration hope for stained-glass window smashed in Ashburton church break-in

There are hopes that a stained-glass window that was smashed during a break-in at a 900-year-old Devon church can be restored. The burglary happened at St Andrew’s church in Ashburton on the night of Tuesday 27 August. It is one of several churches in the South West to be targeted in recent months. The window depicting the infant Jesus being presented to Simeon and Anna in the temple was broken by the thieves in order…