West Hill Church

Church of St Michael the Archangel

Parish of West Hill

A view of the southside of West Hill church
A photo of the congregation outside West Hill church

Welcome to West Hill church

We are a friendly family orientated parish church within the Church of England. Our church family offers a very warm welcome to everyone to share in the good news of Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. We are here for everyone whether you worship regularly with us, only occasionally or even not at all. We are seeking to grow in faith through prayer, worship and learning together, striving to reflect God’s love through serving others with joy and making new disciples. We hope to make everyone feel welcome. We aim to welcome everyone to share in our active Church life, to be here to help you celebrate your weddings and baptisms and to offer support and comfort at times of bereavement.

Location and information

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Address

Church of St Michael the Archangel
Bendarroch Road
West Hill
EX11 1UW

Nearest defibrillator

In the Royal British Legion across the road

Latitude / longitude

50.7401013086634 / -3.31916391849518

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.

  • Fiona Rimmer

    Churchwarden

  • Pam Johns

    Churchwarden

  • Vacant

    PCC Secretary

  • Joanna Bromley

    PCC Treasurer

    Contact an officer

    West Hill contact form

    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

    • Car park

    • Toilet

    • Churchyard accessible but steep

    • Church accessible with ramps

    • Hearing loop

    A view of the lychgate at West Hill church

    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.

    • Children's area

    • Wildlife friendly churchyard

    • Kitchen area

    • Example of a complete Gothic revival church

    • Stained glass by William Wailes

    • Striking stone pulpit

    A view of the West Hill church stone pulpit with flower arrangement in front

    History

    In 1845, the Church decided that West Hill needed a church building of its own as locals had to walk or ride the 2 miles to church in Ottery for Sunday services. The architect of the new church building, George Wollaston, was educated at the Kings Grammar School in Ottery St Mary and went on to work for a distinguished firm in London. His design for St Michael’s is described as having a nave and chancel under the same roof, in the early English style, with Lancet-headed windows, filled with stained glass and a small bell-tower. The oak roof is supported on pointed oaken arches, springing from stone corbels.

    Wollaston estimated the cost of building St Michaels would be £935 14s 2d. However when the church building was completed in 1846, the total cost including the fixture and fittings had risen to £2000. Thanks to the generosity of two local benefactors, Sir John Kennaway of Escot who gave the land and Sir John Coleridge of Ottery whose family provided more than half of the funds, the additional money was found.

    And so in 1846 when St Michaels was finished West Hill became a parish.

    The church was originally to be called St Saviours, named after a chapel that once stood by the bridge over the River Otter but because it was finished early it was possible to consecrate it on Michaelmas Day, 29th September 1846. The first priest in charge from that date was Revd James Boles, MA.

    St Michaels churchyard is the resting place of two once internationally famous men.

    William Hart Coleridge (1789-1849) was the nephew of Samuel Taylor Coleridge the famous poet. He was educated at the King’s Grammar School, Ottery St Mary and Oxford. He decided to pursue a career in the Church and in 1824 he was consecrated Bishop of Barbados and the Leeward Islands. In 1842 due to failing health he returned to England and took up residence at Salston House. He was an important benefactor of St Michael’s Church, giving the altar for the new church and according to press reports, preaching an impressive sermon on his text from the 48th Psalm at the church’s consecration on Michaelmas Day in 1846.

    John William Billiatt (1842-1919) was an Australian explorer, the youngest member of John McDouall Stuart’s expedition of 1861-62, the first to cross Australia from Adelaide on the south coast to Van Diemen’s Gulf on the north coast.

    In 1978 the Narthex (at the back of the church) was built thanks to the generosity of May Wakeley but sadly by 2003 the roof had started leaking and the building was no longer large enough for many church functions. In that year a successful appeal was launched and the roof was refurbished, the Narthex extended and a new kitchen fitted.

    For a more detailed history please visit the Historic England page.

    Gallery