St. James the Less Church in Kingston
St. James the Less is one of eight churches working together in the South Hams as the Modbury Team Ministry. The Team Leader is the Revd. Neil Barker, who is based at Modbury, 01548 830260, the Team Vicar, Revd.Lesley Valiant at Loddiswell with Terry Valiant, Lay Reader, 01548 550933 and Michael Tagent, Lay Reader is based at Ringmore, 01548 810520. The following links are available: All Hallows Church, Ringmore and St Andrews Church, Aveton Gifford. For more information on what is happening round the team click here. For times of services and other community events please see below.
Part of a royal manor in the 9th century, Kingston was a daughter Church of Ermington until the 20th century. Consecrated for baptisms, marriages and all sacramental rites, it was not until the beginning of the 15th century that burials were permitted. Approval for this was granted after the parishioners had complained to the Bishop of Exeter that they had to carry the bodies for internment to Ermington ‘’with great inconvenience’’.
The oldest part of the Grade II* listed building dates from the late 13th century. Originally cruciform in plan, it was altered early in the 15th century to incorporate the arcaded north aisle. Some windows date from this period. The south porch is of architectural interest and has the original heavy oak door, possibly erected in the 14th century when the tracery on some of the windows was created. The granite font is also of special interest as there are not many of this type to be found in Devon. It is reported to be late 15th century, but some suggest it is from an earlier period. The south aisle (now the vestry) may have been a chantry chapel of the Ashford and Wise families of Wonwell, as they were responsible for its upkeep. In the 17th century it was divided from the nave by a wooden screen displaying the arms of both families.
The church originally had a peal of four bells, the oldest of which dates from 1553. In 1979 the bells were retuned and two new ones added. These were dedicated in 1980 by the Bishop of Totnes. The bells play an important role in the life of the village, rung on occasions for rejoicing and tolling for the dead. During the World War II they were silenced so they could be used for warning of invasion. Later they were used to summon the volunteers who manned the Kingston Branch of the Fire and Rescue Service.
During the 18th century services were very irregular and the Church itself was in a dangerously neglected state. Despite extensive repairs during the 19th century, it was decided in 1891 that a complete restoration was urgently needed. After major fund raising activities, work started the following year under the direction of the Plymouth architect Edmund Sedling. The builders were W. Triggs of Kingston and J. Lukecraft of Aveton Gifford. There was sufficient work completed for the Bishop of Exeter to re-open the Church amid great celebrations in 1893, although the restoration was not completed until 1914.
Then Church is open every day of the year from approximately 9am until dusk. Services are held regularly, see below, and there are many special events held around the church calendar and linked to village activities. We have a wonderful peal of six bells and a thriving bell ringing team. Check under 'Clubs and Societies' for more details about the bell ringers and who to contact if you want to join in. Dedicated teams of volunteers keep our Church clean, well maintained and beautifully decorated with flowers. See the latest edition of the 'Parish Newsletter' for their contact details.
The majority of respondents to the Parish Plan consultation in 2007 felt that access to the church was poor. Kingston District Church Council now have a preliminary agreement with the Diocesan Advisory Committee, English Heritage and the South Hams District Council 
on works to provide better access to the Church. A consultation with the local community in Kingston indicated strong support for these works and fund raising is underway. However Kingston is a small rural community and not all grant making bodies appreciate that building works of this nature cost as much when serving a small population as in larger urban areas. The project, entitled 'All Welcome'' aims to make the church a fully inclusive community resource and we are determined to achieve our aims.
Information from the Church Registers and lists of other historical documents are available through the Kingston Local History Society, KLHS, as well as a detailed survey of the gravestones and memorials in the church by local resident, W. (Bill) Scarrett and documents relating to the church bells. Kingston Local History or see under 'Clubs and Societies' for other contact details for KLHS.
The Churchwarden's Annual report for 2010 can be found here.
Sunday services normally start at 9.30am and details can be found below. Special services and other events are also listed.
Coming Events:
18 March 3pm. Concert in aid of the Kampala Music School in the Church. Tea and cakes/sandwiches in the interval. £10 adult £5 child. More information here.
12 May Murder Mystery Play '' A Right Royal Murder' in Kingston Reading Room. BYO picnic supper. 7 for 7,15pm £10 inc. free glass of wine to start the evening. Posh frocks and suits preferred! Proceeds in aid of Church access project.
24 May ''Garden Design - influences, inspiration and tips'' a talk by Adam Hunt. 8pm the Reading Room. Proceeds to All Welcome Project.
Christingle Service Trying out the bells
BIGBURY, KINGSTON AND RINGMORE CHURCHES
Service Details: February 2012
|
Sunday
|
Bigbury
11 am |
Kingston
9.30 am |
Ringmore
9.30 am
|
|
5th February: 3rd before Lent: green |
|
Service
Leader
Readings
Organist |
Family Communion
Neil Barker
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
Gill Miller-Williams |
Family Communion
Neil Barker
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
Irina Lunn |
Family Communion
Michael Tagent
Isaiah 40:21-end
Mark 1:29-39
Hymnal machine |
|
12th February: 2nd before Lent: green |
|
Service
Leader
Readings
Organist |
Family Service
Michael Tagent
Psalm 104:24-35
Colossians 1:15-20
John Tagent |
Family Service
Michael Tagent
Psalm 104:24-35
Colossians 1:15-20
Irina Lunn |
Holy Communion (BCP)
Lesley Valiant
Colossians 1:15-20
John 1:1-14
Hymnal machine |
|
19th February: Next before Lent: green |
|
Service
Leader
Readings
Organist |
Family Service
Lesley Valiant
2 Kings 2:1-12
Mark 9:2-9
Cathy Heath |
Holy Communion (BCP)
Lesley Valiant
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
Irina Lunn |
Village Service
Adrian/Judy Bull
2 Kings 2:1-12
Mark 9:2-9
Hymnal machine |
|
26th February: Lent 1: purple |
|
Service
Leader
Readings
Organist |
Holy Communion (BCP)
Michael Hinton
1 Peter 3:18-end
Mark 1:9-15
David Reynolds |
Family Service
Jeanne Curtis
Genesis 9:8-17
Mark 1:9-15
Irina Lunn |
Family Communion
Neil Barker
1 Peter 3:18-end
Mark 1:9-15
Fiona Stuart-Wilson |
Thought for the Month
A Question of Service
On 6th February 2012, Her Majesty The Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne. In that time she has seen 12 Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchilll to David Cameron. Much has changed since 1952. Satellites, mobile phones, digital cameras, iPads – the list of new inventions and products is endless. MDF board, for example, dates from the 1980s; the Channel Tunnel was opened in 1994.
Throughout this time, Queen Elizabeth’s conduct and service have been an example to all, and the esteem in which she is held is testimony to her dedication. We thank her and join the cry “God save the Queen”.
Today’s society can sometimes sneer at the ideas of duty and service, yet examples are all around us. Soldiers serve their country; shopkeepers serve their customers. Young people may serve an apprenticeship; others may serve on a committee. We rely on the work of civil servants (even though we grumble when things are not what we want), and use servers to manage our computer data. The underlying themes are of discharging duties and of doing things which benefit others.
Church services are times when worshippers recognise their duty and service to God. At least, that is how it should be. In some churches (not, of course, ours!) people act as though God were involved in running a chain of social clubs, places where they can go for the enjoyment when they feel like it.
True worship is where people acknowledge that God is their Creator, the King of kings. Christians are called to be servants (literally, ‘slaves’) of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He is their Lord and Master, and they serve him willingly. Christianity is about taking every opportunity to proclaim his message of love and salvation by word of mouth and the quality of our lives. That message – the message of the Christmas angels – is to let Jesus be at the centre of life, and to know his blessings, today and for ever.
Michael Tagent