Donate and become a Friend
Your generous donations help us continue our mission to preserve and maintain St. Nectan's Church. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
To make a donation, please click the button below. Thank you for your support.
About Us
The Friends of St. Nectan's, Stoke, is an independent secular organisation established in June 2002. The aim of the Society, which is a Registered Charity, is to ensure that sufficient funds are raised to assist for the public benefit the preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement, and ornamentation of the fabric and furnishings of this beautiful and ancient Church.
Our organisation is run entirely by volunteers, ensuring the most effective use of funds received. Membership is open to all, offering an ideal opportunity for both local residents and holiday visitors to stay engaged and connected with Hartland.
The Friends of St. Nectan's, Stoke, raises funds through subscriptions, donations, legacies, and fundraising events, sustaining our mission to safeguard our community's rich history. If you share our belief in the importance of preserving the past to inform the future, ensuring that each restoration project is executed with the utmost care and attention to detail, please consider supporting us.
A donation or membership could be a way of commemorating special links with St Nectan's, such as a joyful wedding or baptism or a poignant memory of a funeral or thanksgiving service. You may be living in another part of the country or even the world but would value preserving a link with family or holiday connections to Hartland?
St Nectan's Church
On high ground in a remote corner of Northwest Devon stands the large, imposing Church of St. Nectan's, Stoke. It is the Parish Church of Hartland and is sometimes called "the Cathedral of North Devon" with its high tower (128 feet / 39 metres), which is the tallest in North Devon and for centuries has served as a landmark for sailors in the Bristol Channel. The present building is believed to be the third or fourth on this site although parts of it date back to the fourteenth century. Christian worship has taken place here for almost a thousand years.
Recent projects
External repairs
The latest project to which we are making a substantial contribution, made possible by a very welcome legacy, is one of the largest. As a result of the Quinquennial Inspection, the urgent need for repairs to the external walls of our ancient church was identified. This major project has started and will be ongoing for some time. Only when the walls are once again weatherproof, can repairs to the interior be tackled.
As you can imagine, the cost of doing this is astronomical, so major fundraising is required!
Refurbishment of the organ
One of our ongoing projects involves contributing to the restoration of the historic church organ. The meticulous care and attention to detail by the skilled professionals is restoring the instrument to its former glory, whilst honouring its rich history.
The project is also introducing eight new organ stops, each carefully selected to enhance the instrument's versatility and musical expression. The majestic sound of the organ now fills the church once again.
Restoration of the West door
In a recent project aimed at preserving the structural integrity and historical significance of our church, the focus was on repairing the West door and stonework.
The repairs to the West door and stonework not only safeguarded the physical foundation of our church but also upheld its symbolic importance within the community, honouring the craftsmanship of past generations.
In undertaking these and other repairs, we reaffirm our commitment to stewardship and preserving the church for future generations.
Renewal of the carpets
In a recent project the worn carpet in the chancel was replaced and the altar cloth and pulpit fall were repaired and cleaned. The new carpet, the altar cloth, and pulpit fall are now in pristine condition. The church looks so much brighter and more welcoming.
Since 2005 donations, subscriptions and legacies have enabled us to fund:
Bell repairs
Lighting Improvements
Redecorations
Repairs to West Door
Repairs to all doors
Installation of sound system
Extension of sound system
Repairs to lightning conductor
New carpets
Repairs to arch over West Door
Replastering South Porch ceiling
Decoration & repairs to organ site
Replacement latches S&W doors
Repairs to stone boundary wall
External tower repairs
Pope’s Chamber gate & handrail
Handrail to South Path
Replacement boiler
Organ repairs
Bell Ringing room refurbished
Bell ropes replacement
Special Thanks
We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many visitors to St Nectan’s for our recent Open Day! It was a joy to see so many friends, old and new, enjoying the day's special activities. Your enthusiastic attendance made the event a resounding success.
We would also like to thank Alex Duncan for so generously donating the proceeds of his recent concert to The Friends of St Nectan’s. This contribution has been added to the £55,000 we have already provided for the vital structural repairs to the Church. Inevitably, the work has uncovered more major problems, and we continue to fundraise diligently to ensure this ancient building can withstand the weather and remain here for future generations.
Upcoming Events
We are having a Coffee Morning in The Parish Hall on Saturday, November 15th, from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Come along and enjoy refreshments with us.
Gathering
Contact us
We'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via email.
We do not have office hours, however will strive to respond to all inquiries as soon as we can. If you need any help with donating, becoming a member or leaving a legacy, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will be very grateful.