St. Leonard's Church

Contacts:

Rector: Revd. Dr. Paul Fitzpatrick 01409 254 667  Email: vicar-rubycountry@outlook.com
For Life events (Baptism, Wedding or Funerals): rubycountry.beneficeadmin@btinternet.com

Churchwarden – Irene Ellis – 01409 254572

Secretary/Treasurer - Paul Grafton - 01409 271456    paul@devonholidays.org

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Safeguarding: If you have a concern about the safety of someone or the actions of someone working with children or vulnerable adults, please speak to someone:

·         Parish Safeguarding Representative:  Paul Grafton Tel:  01409 271456  Email: paul@devonholidays.org

·         Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team - for contact details please go to                                https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/safeguarding/safeguarding-team/

If you are a young person and feel unhappy about something happening to you, you can call Childline on 0800 11 11.

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Events:  We hold a number of social gatherings each year. These not only raise much needed funds for the church but also bring villagers together. We usually hold a Big Breakfast and a Wine & Wisdom in Spring and Autumn, as well as a Harvest Lunch.  Our events are shown on the village events calendar (see 'Events' page).

 

The Building:  The current building is built upon the site of an earlier church.  The oldest parts are the Chancel with its Norman windows on the North side, and the font.  The tower and archades of the North and South aisles were built in the 14th Century, the chapel in the North aisle being dedicated to St. Katherine.

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There is an interesting Norman window in the Chancel. Also of note are the Barrel roofs in the side aisles, and in the Sanctuary, the ancient Piscina and unusual Victorian Wall decorations. The Polyphant Font came from the earlier church, and local children have been baptised here for 1000 years. The Tower has a peal of Six Bells and on its wall in the ringing chamber is a Royal Coat of Arms from 1662. There are various other family plaques adorning the nave walls.

The arches of Polyphant stone are 15th Century; the small faces on the capital behind the pulpit may be those of the builders.  At one time there used to be a screen and Rood loft but now only the leading stairs remain.

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The Nave windows, Chancel and side aisle roofs are 15th Century; the Nave roof being formerly thatched was restored in 1893.  A local craftsman from Ashwater carved the Altar and Pulpit.

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The Chalice and Paten used in the Communion Service have been here since 1575; the church register began in 1612.

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Christopher Osmond whose fine monument is on the North wall was an Exeter lawyer who had an estate in Clawton.

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The Royal Arms on the tower wall were put up when Charles II was restored to the throne in 1662.

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Our Patron Saint:  St Leonard of Noblac is our patron saint, whom we celebrate on 6th November.  But who is he?

Leonard was of Frankish nobility and part of the court of the pagan King Clovis l.  The Queen suggested to Leonard that he invoke the help of God to repel an invading army. He did, and the tide of the battle turned, and Clovis was victorious. Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, used this miracle to convert the King, Leonard, and 1000 followers to Christianity.

 

Leonard began a life of austerity, sanctification and preaching.  His desire to know God grew until he decided to enter the monastery at Orleans.  His brother, Lifiard, followed his example and left the Kings Court, and built a monastery at Meun, and lived there.  But Leonard wanted further seclusion. He withdrew into the forest of Limousin, converting many on the way, and living on herbs, wild fruits and spring water.  He built himself an oratory, leaving it only for journeys to churches. Others begged to live with him, and a monastery was formed.

 

Leonard had a great compassion for prisoners, obtaining release for, and converting many.

He died circa 559 of natural causes, after which many churches were dedicated to him in France,  England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other countries; and pilgrims flocked to his tomb.