THE village church in Upton Pyne, near Exeter, is holding a public open day tomorrow, Saturday, May 14, to mark its reopening after major restoration work.

The mediaeval Grade One-listed Church of Our Lady closed late last year after winning a grant from the government’s Listed Places of Worship Roof Fund to restore its decaying roof.

Other urgent repairs were carried out at the same time and the church was redecorated in traditional style before reopening on Easter Sunday.

The church, which is believed to be the setting for the marriage of Elinor and Edward in Jane Austen’s "Sense and Sensibility", is set in the heart of the village with far-reaching views to the Raddon Hills and the Devon countryside.

Built mainly of local volcanic rock, the church was consecrated by Bishop Grandisson on September 26, 1328.

The niches of the bell tower, built around 1380, contain important carvings of the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and a figure of Christ is on the west face.

The many interesting features in the church include the chancel arch, one of the oldest parts of the building and a little "priest’s door" into the chancel.

The altar piece is a painting of the Last Supper, brought from Italy in the early 18th Century. Two 17th Century tombs are situated in the wall of the south aisle. One, dating from 1611, recalls lord of the manor Edmund Larder and bears the figure of a young man in armour, his head resting on his helmet, a dog at his feet and his sword beside him. The other is that Edmund’s grandson Humphrey, who died in 1588, and his wife Margaret.

Manganese from Upton Pyne supplied the whole country in the early 19th Century and this mining past is recalled in a commemorative tablet to manganese merchant Nicholas Williams in the ringing chamber.

The building will be decorated with Spring flowers and there will be displays about the restoration, historic village documents and World War One memorabilia, guided tours, a children’s trail, a chance to try handbell ringing and refreshments served on The Causeway (or indoors if wet) from 11am to 3.30pm.

“We hope that people will enjoy exploring this lovely peaceful building and its beautiful grounds, with a wealth of history dating back 700 years,” said former churchwarden David Marshall, who has overseen the restoration project.

A celebratory concert will be held in the church on the afternoon of Sunday, June 12, followed by a community tea in the village hall to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. More information and tickets can be obtained from Veronica Clarke on 01392 841530.

Alan Quick