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History

The first question most visitors ask is "How old is the church?"  We don't know.  The road here has been an important link for the coastal settlements since before the Romans came.  The name of the village is Saxon in origin, ‘tun’ being a homestead.  So, the name means the ‘new homestead by the pebble ford' (Popple being a Devon name for a large pebble).  It is probable that there was a chapel here in Saxon times; a deed of 1331 refers to " ...where an ancient chapel already existed" .

The Saxon church based its pastoral care on the Minsters, from which groups of clergy would travel to care for outlying areas.  Our nearest Minster was at Exeter, where a religious house had existed since 670.  Regular meeting places were originally marked with a cross, which developed into a shelter to house an altar and later into a chapel to protect the people from the weather.  It is likely that this happened here on a transport route; the early church was noted for its care of travellers.

For much of its recorded history, the parish of Newton Poppleford is inextricably linked with Aylesbeare, some 5 miles to the west.  At the time of Edward the Confessor, Newton Poppleford was part of the manor of Aylesbeare, which stretched eastwards to the river Otter.  This was confirmed in the Domesday survey of 1086.  Originally in the diocese of Sherborne (created 705), Devonshire was included in the diocese of Exeter in 909, with its cathedral at Crediton.  The cathedra was moved to the fortified city of Exeter in 1050, probably to give better protection from Danish armed raids.  Church reforms following the conquest created the Archdeaconry of Exeter and the Rural Deanery of Aylesbeare, which included Newton Poppleford for the next 800 years.

By 1244 there were a number of clergy at Minchin Court, Aylesbeare also caring for Newton Poppleford, under appointment from the Convent at Polsloe.  In 1254 Henry III granted a Fair to Newton Poppleford to be held over 3 days at St Luke's tide (October 18); also a weekly market each Thursday.  The first recorded incumbent of Aylesbeare was Gregory, instituted on 12 July 1261.

In 1315 Hugh de Curtenay claimed the manor of Aylesbeare including the hamlet of Newton Poppleford.  At Lord Courtenay s request, in 1331 Bishop Grandisson, responsible for building the greater part of Exeter Cathedral as we know it today, licensed the foundation and endowment of a chantry at Newton Poppleford.  The Bishop recognised: "the growing population there and the distance from the parish church of 'Aillesbere, the inconvenience to families and the dangers to their property when absent from home at services at their parish church, and the benefit to accrue from the regular performance of Divine Offices at Newton Poppleforde".  He appointed a clerk, William de Pynne as chaplain, without prejudice to the Mother church at Aylesbeare.  There must have been a number grateful for relief from the 5-mile walk over the common to church.  It is assumed that the present foundations date from this time.

The Black Death affected Devon seriously.  In 1349, three vicars of the parish died, as did the chantry priest at Newton Poppleford.  Economic recovery did not come until early in the 1400's, when there was much rebuilding of churches.  Our church has a red sandstone tower with corner stair turret.  These were a common Devon feature at this time, so it is likely our tower was built then.

Henry VIII and the Reformation brought many changes to the church.  In 1538 the Priory of Polsloe was dissolved and in 1539 Henry Courtney was executed and the manor forfeited.  The chantry was abolished by Act of Parliament in 1545 (Edward VI), and reverted to being a 'daughter' chapel of the mother church at Aylesbeare.

There were positive changes too: services were held in English, large bibles were placed in each church and Thomas Cranmer brought great enrichment of liturgy and worship.  The duty of keeping registers was set up – Aylesbeare's begin in 1580 and record baptisms, marriages and, burials at St Luke’s until 1862.  The restoration of communion in both kinds created a need for larger chalices and many Elizabethan silver cups were made.  St Luke’s still has one of about 130 chalices made by John Jones of Exeter between 1571 - 1576, and marked IONS.
About this time, Agnes Parsons gave property for the benefit of the church; (Parsons Farm is at present occupied by Farmer John's Cider and Ice-cream).

Little is recorded for the next couple of centuries: In 1697 Richard White bequeathed 30 shillings a year for education of poor children, a gift which continues.  Around 1720 the "White-pot Revel" transferred from Aylesbeare to Newton Poppleford, later becoming a Great Market on Ascension Day; we don't know when this died out.

By 1820 the church owned what is now the Exeter Inn and the two cottages beside the Green.  The two cottages were rented to help defray the expenses of repairs.  The Exeter Inn was sometime used as a priest's lodgings and has a large room at the back which was used for meetings.  It is not known when the church acquired these buildings, but they are certainly Tudor, or even older, in origin.

On a Visitation in 1822, the vicar reported that there were 78 families at Aylesbeare and 108 at Newton Poppleford.  There was no youth teaching, but morning service was taken at St Luke's every other Sunday, with Holy Communion celebrated twice a year – presumably in rota with Aylesbeare, where the vicar had earlier noted that communion was held only at Easter, Whitsunday, Michaelmas & Christmas.

The population of Newton Poppleford continued to grow faster than that at Aylesbeare; there were lace and silk factories here as well as agriculture and all its supporting trades.  A south Aisle was added in 1826, providing 120 'free seats'.  The chapelry of St Luke was virtually severed from Aylesbeare on 13 November 1855 when a curate was licensed by the Bishop on the nomination of the vicar.  This was formally assigned in March 1862, when the first incumbent was the Revd S H Walker.

The establishment of St Luke's as a parish church in its own right seems to have prompted a period of great activity.  In 1872, three arable fields (Glebelands) were provided as a site for a vicarage for the new incumbent.  The entire chancel and nave of the church were rebuilt in 1875 (at a cost of £650!). The present school was built in 1877/8 with help from the Rolle family; the trust deed provided for the premises to be used for a Sunday School. Whites Devon Directory noted 147 houses and gave the population as 661.  A new bell was hung in 1885.

Ottery Rural Deanery was formed in 1875.  The last links with Aylesbeare were severed in 1898 when the civil parishes were separated.  The clock was fitted in the tower of St Luke's in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

A reorganisation of clergy in 1932 created a united benefice for Newton Poppleford and Harpford, when the vicar was the Revd G H Greenslade.  He prompted further work, threw out the wire screen between the Porch and Nave and had the current oak doors fitted.  The Chancel was also modified, reducing the altar steps from three to one and fitting more choir seats on an extended organ platform.

The 1950's saw the pulpit moved and the light oak screen fitted.  Outside, the Parish Council were required to take over the Old Churchyard under the 'Open Spaces Act' on 1 January 1952: the cemetery is now administered by the District Council.  Building additions and the Church Hall are evidence of a vigorous church community.

The village continues to grow.  Large numbers of houses were built in the 1980s, and the population has doubled since 1950.  The church still stands in the centre of the village, and still serves its Christian purpose.

The Building

The West Tower is all that remains of the medieval church.  It is mostly built of local red sandstone, which is difficult to dress (i.e. cut accurately to form detailed shapes).  The corner stones are of Beer stone, as are all the shaped stones for the window and door surrounds and the moulded drip courses and gargoyles.  The visitor may be interested to know that a fascinating tour may be made of the underground quarries at Beer Caves, where fine quality building stone has been worked for centuries.

A semi-hexagonal stair turret projects from the north-east corner of  the tower, giving access to the clock and bell chambers and up onto  the roof, with its embattled parapet.  In recent years the choir has re-established a tradition of singing from the top of the tower early on Ascension Day morning.

The single bell was cast by John Warner and Sons of London in 1885; the substantial oak frame of the same date was made by H.Stokes of Woodbury.  There is evidence from holes in the stonework that there was an earlier bell-frame.  Re-pointing of the tower stonework was done in 1931 by A Welsman, a faithful parishioner for many years.  The clock was made by J W Benson of Ludgate Hill, London, Clockmakers to the Queen and the Prince of Wales, and was installed in 1897, as recorded on a brass plaque in the nave.  It keeps perfect time, thanks to the loving care of the village clock-mender.

In the angle between the tower and the south aisle is the small modern sacristy.  A grave slab set in the outside wall records the death of Mary Tilke in 1736.  She endowed a, charity which still produces a small income for charitable purposes.

When the Nave and Chancel were rebuilt in 1875 a continuous roof was made.  The full length south aisle has a parallel roof of the same height.  Both are covered with red tiles, with scallop-shaped bands on the outer slopes.  The moulded stonework and tracery is of Beer stone, as in the tower, but 400 years younger.  Infill stonework on the north side is sandstone, which may have been re-used from the earlier building.  The south wall is formed of large cobbles, which are abundant locally.

Inside, the roofs are formed of plain scissor-braced trusses, the valley between the two roofs being supported by simple timber pillars.  The only elaboration is arched timber moulding to the chancel arch.  The chancel whitewashed brickwork and the simple pine pews are fitting for a small village church.

The screen was erected here by Woodley's in 1960, although originally made for St John's Church, Swindon in 1903.  It is carved oak with gothic-style tracery and is noted for its carved figures of female characters from the Bible.  The original description of these hangs on the north wall of the nave.  Because St Luke’s was not wide enough for all 16 figures, 6 pairs were used in the screen, the other two pairs forming the front of the specially built south aisle altar.  The visitor is left to work out who is where.

To the south of the sanctuary is the organ and choir vestry, both separated from the south aisle by a 20th century screen.  A plate on the screen records Prebendary Russell, Vicar 1949-1954, who commissioned the work, completed by his widow.  The extension to the south is relatively recent and once served as a choir vestry.  It now houses the boiler and the Parish 'Office', both important services.

The first organ here came from Aylesbeare.  The present organ was purchased from Hele & Son, Plymouth, in 1923 and was selected by Mrs Harrison, who was organist for many years.  She died in 1986, aged 101, and had continued to play well into her nineties.
The plain octagonal font is also of Beer stone.  The banner of the Royal British Legion above, the children's pictures in this corner and the Mothers' Union banner by the main altar are but small evidence of the continuing lively and faithful Christian community at St Luke's Church.

Compiled and written © Haylor Lass, 1993

References:

'Aylesbeare - a Devon Church and Parish' by Howard Senar (former vicar); published 1986 by Canon H Senar, ISBN 0 9511950 0 X.
'Peep into the Past' compiled by Mr G Tenney - private publication 1988.
Devon County Record Office.
Parish records in Harpford and Newton Poppleford Churches.
A note on Harpford was found in a paper in the Transactions of the Devonshire Association
The first known history of St Luke's church, written by a Mr W H Newton - onetime landlord of the Cannon Hotel.

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