Brian Carpenter from Devon Heritage Centre introduces a new archive project called Understanding Dunkeswell Abbey Church.
Understanding Dunkeswell Abbey Church
We are delighted to be working with the heritage consultancy Heritage Arts People on a project with Dunkeswell Abbey Church Trust, called Understanding Dunkeswell Abbey Church. The project, funded by the Pilgrim Trust, is exploring the history, current state and heritage significance of the 19th century church at Dunkeswell Abbey.
A Remarkable History
The Victorian church has a remarkable history: it was built 180 years ago by Elizabeth Simcoe and her daughters, who poured their time and energy into mastering the craft skills needed to create the architectural fixings. Using a large drawing room at their home in Dunkeswell parish as a workshop, they produced stained glass windows, architectural fixings and church furniture. Archive cataloguing of the Simcoe collection, including new material, is being undertaken in partnership with the University of Exeter.
Archive Cataloguing
The archival work at the Devon Heritage Centre involves cataloguing, preserving and re-packaging the records of the church to make them available to the public. A student intern from Exeter University, Megan Barber, has been helping with this work.
Building the Case
The aim of the project is to contribute to an evidence base that Dunkeswell Abbey Church Trust can use to build the case for the major funding that is needed to save Dunkeswell Abbey church from serious deterioration.
