CREDITON Courier readers who regularly walk past the parish church or through the churchyard near the south porch entrance will have noticed that the sundial that is normally in place above the porch entrance gates has been missing for some time.

The sundial has been taken down for some refurbishment and repainting. The hard wood sundial dates from June 2003 and was dedicated by the Right Reverend Keith Jones, then Dean of Exeter Cathedral.

It was repainted in 2009 for the Crediton Festival, celebrating the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the first cathedral in Devon. It was repainted again in 2015, on both occasions by the late Brian Hill.

The current sundial replaced another, dating from 1906, that was funded by public subscription for the sum of £5. Two of the subscribers were widowed daughters of the Rev Samuel Rowe, who had been vicar at Crediton from 1835 until his death in 1853.

The 1906 sundial made from walnut had been repaired in the 1930s by Berry and Vincent, and on four occasions by Jo Mitchell, a local craftsman employed by Devon County Council in 1949, 1956, 1970 and 1990.

It was noticed that in 1906 there was evidence of fixings of an earlier sundial, and recent research has found that a sundial was certainly in place in 1822, but had disappeared by 1878.

This earlier sundial is shown in prints taken from an engraving done by J B Coney, and a drawing on stone done by H Spreat in 1849, copies of which are held at the church.

A print from an engraving by J B Coney in 1822 showing what could be the first sundial, left, and a later print of 1849 also showing the earliest sundial
A print from an engraving by J B Coney in 1822 showing what could be the first sundial, left, and a later print of 1849 also showing the earliest sundial (Crediton Parish Church)

If anyone would like to contribute to the cost of the current work to the sundial, which is expected to cost upwards of £500, contributions can be sent to, or handed in at, the parish office at the Boniface Centre.

Cheques should be made payable to the Friends of Crediton Church. Contributions can also be made via BACS to Friends of Crediton Church, sort code 52-30-06, account 04504496.

Please mark any contribution “sundial”.

If anyone would like any further information, or perhaps to book a tour of the church or the churchyard, telephone Bill Jerman on 01363 772865.

Bill Jerman