ST PETERS CHURCH

The present church building dates from the end of the thirteenth century. Monuments both inside and outside the church commemorate the Clevland family, who once lived at Tapeley Manor and the Christie family, to whom the house and estate passed by marriage. There are also monuments to the Berry Torrs, who lived in the littler village of Eastleigh. Some restoration work has been done, and more is envisaged in the near future when funds become available.

The present congregation is small and ‘elderly, though there is a much bigger body of people who come on special occasions and are willing to help in practical ways. The church and the pub are the two main focal points for this community.

St. Peters, Westleigh is part of the United Benefice comprising St. Peters, Westleigh, St. Johns, Instow and St. Peters Fremington.  

At such times, it is good to remember that the Church is not primarily a building or an ordained minister, but rather the people of God. People have worshipped here for hundreds of years and they do so still. Please pray that others in this generation will come to put their trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour, and bear witness for him in this rural community.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Sunday 1st 9.30am

 Holy Communion

Sunday 15th 9.30am

Family Service

    For many people, September marks the end of the holiday season. If you’ve been able to travel you may well bring back memories of places, sounds and sights which will remain with you; perhaps a magnificent view, or time with significant people. Possibly you made decisions about a situation in your life and return with a bold and definite plan. Maybe you have had time and space to reflect, and a situation has - for better or worse - become more apparent. Standing in an historic place can make you feel close to the characters and places of history. Perhaps you've felt that on the white cliffs of Dover, or next to Churchill's grave at Bladen, or on the battlefield at Hastings. A quiet village in Norfolk doesn't seem a likely place at first glance. The church at Burnham Thorpe looks like many other country churches - attractive but not outstanding. Two floor slabs in the chancel tell of a burial of an Edmund Nelson, his wife Catherine and some of their children in the late 1700s and early 1800s. I hope the name is familiar, for this is the village where Horatio Nelson, the victor of Trafalgar, was brought up, and whose father was the Rector.

   Andrea and I had the joy of worshipping here, during a holiday once, for a simple and tranquil service. On the wall were displayed copies of Nelson's baptism certificate, and two wedding certificates where (aged just ten) he'd signed as a witness. On one, he'd signed as 'Horatio Nelson', which his father had clumsily corrected to 'Horace Nelson', his baptised and therefore 'real' name!

   It was moving, knowing that we were sitting where he had sat with his family. He saw the same wall, windows and carvings. Like us, he sang hymns, prayed, and walked in and out of the same doorway. This was where the faith of one of the great historical figures was formed and fashioned. It was a faith which inspired and  guided him even on the day which was both his greatest and last. These final words are his, written on the morning of 21st October 1805, the day of the battle which he won, and in which he died:

   “I commit my life to Him who made me and may His blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.”                                               

                                                                            Rev Chris Painter

CHURCH NEWS

                                  SEPT  23

On Friday 19th July 2024 a large group of family, friends and villagers came to St Peter's Church, Westleigh, to celebrate the life of 98 year old Marjorie Baltesz. Marjorie was church warden at Westleigh for many years. The ladies wore bright coloured summer dresses at Marjorie's request. Rev Chris took the service and Marjorie s children and grandchildren took part too. She was buried with her beloved husband Freddie in the churchyard.

This was followed by a delicious afternoon tea in the village hall with every type of cake available.

On the rear of the 'Service to Celebrate' the life of Marjorie, there is a recipe for Marjorie's scones. Well worth trying it out.  Marjorie said serve cream first, jam on top!  A copy of the service sheet is on the church porch noticeboard.

The PCC meeting was held on 16th August 2024 where the date for the Westleigh Harvest Service and Supper was arranged. More details in Roger's report next month.

Devon Historic churches day is on Saturday 14th September and we are organising an exciting event, a picnic lunch and teddy bears parachuting off the church tower! This event is not to be missed.  Please tell your family and friends.  More details to follow.

We hope that Roger has enjoyed his family holiday on the “Windy Isle” of Anglesey and he returns refreshed, if not windswept.