Welcome to Venn Ottery church
St Gregory’s is one of two church buildings in the parish of Tipton St John with Venn Ottery. Occasional services such as Harvest and Christmas are held at St Gregory’s to complement the more regular worship at Tipton St John and other churches in the Otter Vale.
The church building is open daily to visitors with access from the Lynch Head lane, Barton Mews or across the footbridge from the paddock.
Location and information
Address
Church of St Gregory
Barton Mews
Venn Ottery
EX11 1RZ
Nearest defibrillator
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Church Officers
Churchwardens (or if vacant the parish priest) can help you with general enquiries about the church, and if you are researching your family history. PCC Secretaries can help with information about the work of the Parochial Church Council and any correspondence should be directed to them. PCC treasurers deal with the finances of the church and are always pleased to discuss giving to the church or making a legacy in your will.
Vacant
Churchwarden
Alison Stevens
PCC Secretary
Chris Schofield
PCC Treasurer
Contact an officer
Church accessibility
As a Mission Community we are very aware that our ancient buildings are not always the most accessible. Where possible we have made changes to make them more user-friendly but there are some limitations that we are not able to work round.
Open daily 9 AM - 5 PM
Street parking is possible in the cul-de-sac, but the car park at the end is private.
No toilet
Accessible churchyard
Church not wheelchair friendly
No hearing loop
Church features
All of our churches are unique many date back many hundreds of years. Each building tells a story and highlighted below are some of the features that are especially noteworthy.
Wildlife friendly churchyard
Medieval pew ends
Norman tower
History
Venn Ottery is mentioned in the Domesday Book and was originally part of the parish of Harpford: the first vicar noted being Gilbert de Edewreth in 1208. The church is thought to date back at least to 1095; and the red stone Norman tower sits on Saxon foundations.
A fire in 1780 destroyed the thatched roof and most of the church, and it was not completely rebuilt until 1882.
Many of the carved medieval pew ends survived the fire, one of which represents Pope Gregory.
The east window of 1913 depicts figures from Venn Ottery’s past, including Rev. Augustus Montague Toplady, Vicar of Harpford and Venn Otter from 1766 – 1768), and author of the hymn ‘Rock of Ages’.
For a more detailed history please visit the Historic England page.
