HOLY Cross Church Tetcott held a special service to celebrate the dedication of their newly repaired and repointed tower and rainwater goods.

The Rev Jane Lucas and the Archdeacon of Barnstaple, Rev Dr Mark Butchers, conducted the service.

The Grade I listed church dates back to the 13th century and, as well as for its beautiful setting, approached through parkland, it is known locally for its association with veterans and descendants of HMS Tetcott, a hunt class destroyer deployed in the Mediterranean during World War Two.

The HMS Tetcott archive can be viewed at Holsworthy Museum.

Like many country churches it has been a constant struggle to keep the building in good repair and the church has been very fortunate to secure generous funding from the government’s ‘Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund’, which has enabled the works to be carried out.

The church has expressed it is also extremely grateful to the ‘Garfield Weston Foundation’, whose grant helped re-point the middle section of the tower and the contractors T H Teague & Sons and church architect Jeremy Chadburn, from Launceston, for all their excellent work and co-operation.

The church is now trying to raise money to restore their historic Launceston pipe organ, one of only three in the country.

Anyone wishing to help can contact Rev Lucas on 01409 211205 or email [email protected]