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Archiver > DEVON > 2001-02 > 0982161707


From: Terry Leaman <>
Subject: (OPC) TORQUAY,Parishes within, (Quite long)
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 14:41:47 +0000


Following on from Deborah's message of last night (GMT)which listed the
various OPCs for Devon, can I please offer some explanation and enlargement
on my realm (so to speak).
Torquay is in itself a town that has only existed by that name for just
over 120 years -BUT within its boundaries are three ancient parishes,
Tormoham , Cockington and St Mary Church. Parish records exist for Tormoham
from 1637, Cockington from 1628 for baptisms and 1632 for marriages &
burials, and St Marychurch from 1641.
Also within the towns boundaries is Torre Abbey, a Premonstratensian abbey
founded in 1196 and closed down by Henry 8th on February 23rd 1539.(sorry,
I don't know where the parish records are<G>). A great house was built on
part of the site and was for a number of years the site of the only Roman
Catholic church in Torquay.
Various Chapels of Ease where built and these in turn became Parishes as
the town grew during the latter half of the 19th century.

The following are new parishes with the earliest date records exist;-
All Saints, Babbacombe 1867
Christ Church, Ellacombe 1868
St. John's, 1862
St Luke's, Baptisms 1888 (chapel of ease before this date records in
Tormoham) Marriages 1930
St Mark's Torwood 1857
St Matthias, Wellswood (Ilsham) 1877 (marriages only)
St Michael's, Pimlico, 1877 Baptisms, 1947 marriages
Shiphay Collaton, 1951 Baptisms, 1952 Baptisms(yes 1951)
St Mary Magdalene, Upton 1849 Baptisms and marriages, burials 1850-1906
St Matthew's, Chelston(no records deposited)

Also other churches which were not strictly parishes
Holy Trinity, Torwood baptisms 1930, Marriages 1896
Upton St James, baptisms 1911

Plus numerous, Baptist , Methodist, Bible Christians, Wesleyan,Zion Chapel,
Roman Catholic, Unitarian, Pentecostal, Congregational, Plymouth Brethren,
Quakers,Presbyterian and mission churches. (to date I have listed in excess
of 40 churches and other places of worship within the town, sadly some are
no longer in existence)

All or any information welcome, to help build up as much information as we
can to help everyone with their research.

If you would rather send to me by snail mail then contact me off list for
my address.

Regards
Terry Leaman
Torquay
Devon.



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