President: The Right Reverend Bob Evens, Bishop of Crediton
WHO ARE WE?
The Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross and the Mother of Him who hung thereon is a spacious and beautiful parish church. Crediton became the seat of Devon’s first diocesan Bishop in 909 and after the cathedral was moved to Exeter in 1050 a collegiate church was established here. At the Reformation Holy Cross was bought back from King Henry VIII to serve as a parish church and was vested in a board of twelve Governors whose successors still care for the church building.
Crediton was probably chosen to be the centre of Devon’s first diocese because St. Boniface was born here c. 680. He became a very significant figure in the Christian history of Europe and is still regarded as ‘the apostle to the German people’. Boniface was martyred c. 754 at Dokkum, in the Netherlands, and was buried at Fulda, in Germany. Today the church enjoys many international friendships through our connection with Boniface.
There is a long and successful musical tradition, which can be traced back to the time of the collegiate foundation, which included 12 vicars-choral. A choir school existed from 1334 until 1545 and in more recent times there has been a mixed choir of children and adults.
The choir currently has about 50 members aged from 8 to over 80 and is open to anyone who is prepared to rise to the challenge. Many young people have gained a formative experience and training here within the Anglican Christian tradition of church music. The choir is led by the Director of Music and the Assistant Organist. Additionally, Holy Cross has a well-established tradition of choral and organ scholars who gain valuable experience and training in church music and who contribute significantly to the life and worship of the church. The choir sing weekly at the Eucharist or Choral Evensong, and often travel to cathedrals to sing Evensong and make tours abroad, most recently to Fulda (Germany), Dokkum (Netherlands) and Sarasota (Florida U.S.A.).
The choir has also sung live and recorded services for the BBC at national and local levels, made a number of CDs and gives regular concerts at Holy Cross. The church has a very fine three manual Harrison and Harrison organ installed in 1921. Holy Cross also serves as a venue for concerts held by the Boniface Concert Society and other local groups.
OUR AIMS
In order to sustain a very high standard of music within worship we need regular, reliable funding. To achieve this, we aim to raise a capital sum of at least £250,000.
The money accrued from the investment will be used in the following ways:
Help pay for existing or newly established choral and organ scholarships
Provide financial assistance to children in the choir or music group to pay for instrumental tuition
Supplement Parochial Church Council expenditure on music staff salaries
Enhance singing tuition within the choir
We hope not only to maintain our standards but to broaden our musical range and outreach.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
By making a one off donation or a regular direct debit gift.
By making a donation under Gift Aid (once we are a registered charity)
By becoming a Patron or Supporter
Those who make a financial contribution could become a patrons or supporters of the fund:
a) Corporate Patron – a one-off gift of £1000 or more
b) Life Patron – a one-off gift of £1000 or more
c) Annual Patron – an annual gift of £250 or more
d) Supporter – an annual gift or £25 or more
All patrons will receive an invitation to a reception and complimentary tickets at an annual event
Please note:
1) As there is no limit on bequests to Church or Charities which are exempt from inheritance taxes, you may like to consider a bequest to the Crediton Church Music Endowment Fund when making or revising your will.
2) Individuals can get income tax relief on the value of their donations to charity of quoted shares and securities and potential capital gains tax on a sale is avoided.
Further information is available from :
The Revd. Nigel Guthrie Rector of Crediton t: 01363 772 669 e: rev.guthrie@btinternet.com
Steven Martin Director of Music t: 01884 840 206 e: stevenemartin@gmail.com