Work For London Church Named After Devon Saint

An artist and a blacksmith, near neighbours in Bideford, are playing a part in the re-building of a church in Whitechapel, London, dedicated to a Devon saint, St. Boniface.

The church was completely demolished during the war by a bomb dropped during the German blitz.

Mr. Lloyd, whose church decoration work is becoming increasingly known, was invited to design the 36-feet long Communion rails, an oratory screen and pulpit carvings. The pulpit will be of pre-cast concrete with slate panels, and Mr. Lloyd will himself carve the panels in his Bideford studio. Four of the panels will be of the evangelists and four with symbols of St. Boniface.

The Communion rails, being in a set of four nine-feet lengths, are being made by Mr. Harding. Represented in their design are symbols of Christ’s message and the Communion.

At the time the above photograph was taken last week-end two of the panels were complete, except for finishing off. The remainder will be completed in the next month.

Woodwork for the surrounds of the Communion rails is being supplied by the North Devon firm of Rawle, Gammon and Baker, Ltd.

The oratory screen, which will be seven feet high and thirteen and a half feet long, is being made by A. E. Norris and Co., of Barnstaple. This depicts the Nativity, Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Mr. Lloyd, whose artistic talents find scope in painting and other forms, told the Bideford Gazette he regards it as particularly appropriate that Devon men should play such a part in the rebuilding of a church dedicated to a Devon Saint.

St. Boniface was born at Crediton in 680 and as a youth was admitted to Exeter monastery. He was appointed Bishop in 722. For many years he was engaged in Preaching and establishing churches in Germany and he has been described as “The Apostle of Germany.”

Gazette article dated 20 May 1960