St Germanus Germansweek
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St Thomas of Cantebury Northlew
St Mary the Virgin Bratton Clovelly
St Germanus Germansweek
St Bridget's Bridestowe
St Thomas a Becket Sourton
St James' Chapel
St Mary the Virgin Ashbury
St Mary the Virgin Belstone
St Mary's Church Sticklepath

 



St Germanus Church, Germansweek
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News for genealogists and amateur family history researchers.

There are now available records of births, marriages and deaths for Germansweek and the surrounding area dating back to the early 1600s. To request information please email and your request will be forwarded. The information is on microfiche and can be accessed personally by appointment if you are in the area. There is a small charge for this service which will be donated to the church funds.    

Germansweek takes its name from St Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, who came to these shores in AD 429. Did St Germanus visit our village? No detailed records survive, we think it was possible, which would make Germansweek one of the earliest a Christian sites in this part of the world. The oldest parts of the present church were built not long after the Norman Conquest with additions dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. There is Tudor stained glass in the North aisle showing the arms of Frithelstock Priory plus the Kelly and Rolle families.

Our name has undergone variations over the years - 1086 Wica, 1242 Wyk, 1458 Wyke Germyn. At other times it has been Wyke Langford and Week St German.

The village grew until the mid eighteen hundreds, when the population reached 450. Today we are Just over 100, which makes survival of the church exceedingly difficult The loss of our farming community has been devastating and we have to find new ways to restore the social awareness

Many visitors to the church say we have a unique and special sensitivity about the building and grounds -perhaps the Lord is showing us a new holistic healing ministry as a way forward. Early in the new year we have plans to hold a few 'Healing and Wholeness' services at Germansweek. Watch for more on this.

Alan Smithers


Copyright (c) GB 2004
GillyBromilow@aol.com