New lease of life for closure-threatened church

An ancient village church has been reprieved from closure and is now entering an exciting new phase with the opening of a mini community library.

On Saturday St Mary’s Church, Poltimore, just outside Exeter, will be opening a mini-library in its building and will also be celebrating the reprieve.

When villagers realised their Grade 1 listed church, in the centre of the village was about to be closed because two longstanding churchwardens were retiring,  they sprang into action.

Villager Jan Davey and parish clerk Jenny Edwards stepped forward to become new churchwardens, so the church could continue, whilst Carole Shaw formed the Friends of Poltimore Church and the library idea was born.

“There is a list of rectors in the church and the first one starts at 1259. How could we let our church close with all that history?” said Jan. “We are now keeping it at the heart of the community where it belongs. There is a sense that is has come to life again and it has become a focal point again.”

The congregation of around 20 will continue to worship in the church.

Villagers have donated books to the mini community library, Devon County Library Service have lent four boxes of books which it will regularly change and is offering a request service.

Bookcases were donated, pews were moved and the library sits in a recess behind the organ. Volunteers will open the library on Saturday and Wednesday mornings and will be offering cups of tea.