This Heritage Open Days we'll be looking at ancient St Martin's Church and its city centre parish of apothecary shops andbooksellers, named St Martin's Island. Volunteers will be on hand to tell you the fascinating history of this church and itsparish and there will be temporary displays.
St Martin's is one of the oldest buildings in the city, consecrated a year before the Norman Conquest. It is the mostimportant and complete church in the centre of Exeter, having escaped both Victorian refurnishing and the Second WorldWar bombing that severely damaged many other Exeter churches.
Look out for the communion rails with their closely set balusters designed, according to a seventeenth-century order fromthe Archbishop of Canterbury, to keep parishioners' dogs from reaching the altar! Admire the box pews, Charles I Coat ofArms and check out the gallery with the arms of the city and of Bishop Trelawny, a local hero in Cornwall, who wasimprisoned for libel by James II.
There are also several magnificent monuments in the church including one of Philip Hooper(a benefactor who donated the reredos) splendidly bewigged, he kneels at a prayer desk with a skull and pile of books.
Just drop in during one of the open days on the 15th, 17th and 21st September - all welcome.
Inside this historic building there are uneven floors and steps.
Timings
10:30am - 4 pm
Duration
Over 3 days in September: Monday 15th 10:30-16:00; Wednesday 17th 13:00-16:00; Sunday 21st 13:00-16:00
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