TOUR DEVON IS THE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH DEVON, IT'S TOWN S AND VILLAGES, COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE, SHOPS AND SERVICES.
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM YOU, THE VISITOR, ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED.
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED NOW TO KEEP THIS SITE GOING
devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
30 May 2007
A wise man does not build a house on sand - but build an Ilfracombe church on pebbles and it will last for 150 years!
St Philip and St James' Church - Pip and Jim's to most - was consecrated on June 10, 1857, after being built on what was once apparently the harbour strand, since deep layers of pebble and shingle have been discovered in its foundations.
It has nevertheless stood the test of time and its congregation is looking forward to celebrating the anniversary with a series of events this June. It is a double celebration, as the inside of the church and its roof have been restored at a cost of £180,000 -more than ten times the cost of the 1857 building.
In all likelihood the church now appears closer to its original construction, at least inside, than it has for many decades.
In the run-up to Sunday, June 10, current Vicar the Reverend Jeremy Clark and members of the church will be spending the week sleeping in the building, where Jeremy will lead Bible studies, worship and prayer for any who care to call in, day or evening.
The main celebrations will take place the following weekend, with a Gala Dinner at the new Ilfracombe College Dining Hall on Saturday, June 16.
Several past vicars and people who have played a role in church down the years will be in attendance, as will 92-year-old Beth Speed-Andrews, widow of the Reverend John Speed-Andrews, who presided over the centenary celebrations in 1957.
Former congregation members who have moved away will also be returning for the occasion, which will include concert items and reminiscences.
Then on Sunday, June 17 the church will be hosting a special service with the Bishop of Crediton, the Right Reverend Bob Evens as guest preacher. He attended Pip and Jim's as a young man, when his father managed a local bank.
Originally built as a daughter church of Ilfracombe Parish Church to serve the harbour community, Pip and Jim's soon became a distinct parish under its first vicar, the Reverend William Charles Moore.
Right up until the mid 1950s it was an independent Church of England church, appointing and paying its own vicar and not accountable to the Diocese of Exeter or the wider C of E.
"We consider ourselves a genuine family church representing the whole age range," said Jeremy.
"Our newest member is two weeks old and our oldest almost 101.
"We're looking forward to celebrating not only 150 years of God's faithfulness to us, but also the opportunities we have had with other churches to provide and share the gospel in the town."
Churchwardens Ralph Geileskey and Jackie O'Malley are also looking forward to the anniversary.
"Christ has been worshipped here for 150 years and that's a wonderful experience to be part of," said Jackie.
"It's also a real family church and the community has been a great help with the restoration fund and we would like to thank everyone for their support."
Ralph added: "In my lifetime here, the church has grown a great deal compared to when I first started coming here and it's still growing today."
