Diocese of Exeter

History

The Diocese of Crediton was created out of the Diocese of Sherborne in AD 909 to cover the area of Devon and Cornwall. Crediton was chosen as the site for its cathedral, possibly due it having been the birthplace of Saint Boniface and also the existence of a monastery there.

In 1046, Leofric became the Bishop of Crediton: following his appointment he decided that the see should be moved to the larger, more culturally significant and defensible walled town of Exeter. In 1050, King Edward the Confessor authorised that Exeter was to be the seat of the bishop for Devon and Cornwall and that a cathedral was to be built there for the bishop's throne. Thus, Leofric became the last diocesan Bishop of Crediton and the first Bishop of Exeter.

The diocese remained unchanged until 1876, when the former Archdeaconry of Cornwall became the independent Diocese of Truro.

Organisation

Bishops

The Bishop of Exeter is Mike Harrison; James Grier as Bishop suffragan of Plymouth; and Moira Astin as Bishop suffragan of Crediton. The provincial episcopal visitor (for parishes in this diocese – among twelve others in the western part of the Province of Canterbury – which do not accept the ordination of women as priests, since 1994) is the Bishop suffragan of Oswestry (for traditional Anglo-Catholics), and Rod Thomas, Bishop of Maidstone (for conservative evangelicals); they are licensed as honorary assistant bishops in the diocese.

There are three former bishops licensed as honorary assistant bishops in the diocese:

• 2005–present: Richard Hawkins, retired former Bishop suffragan of Plymouth and of Crediton, lives in Whipton.
• 2010–present: Martin Shaw, a retired former Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, lives in Exeter itself.
• 2018–present: Mark Rylands, former Bishop of Shrewsbury, lives in Ashburton

Archdeaconries and deaneries

The diocese is divided into four archdeaconries. The Bishop suffragan of Crediton generally oversees the Archdeaconries of Barnstaple and Exeter and the Bishop suffragan of Plymouth the Archdeaconries of Plymouth and Totnes.

The following mergers of deaneries have taken place:

• the deaneries of Tiverton and Cullompton merged in 2012 to form the deanery of Tiverton & Cullompton
• the deaneries of Devonport, Moorside and Sutton merged in 2015 to form the deanery of Plymouth City.

*including Cathedral

Coat of arms

The arms of the diocese are Gules two keys in saltire Or a sword hilt downwards in pale Argent with hilt Or surmounted by a mitre. The charges are emblems of Saints Peter (keys) and Paul (sword) who are the patron saints of the cathedral.

List of churches

Last fully updated 5 October 2018.

Outside deanery structures

Deanery of Aylesbeare

[[Deanery of Cadbury]]

1part of the North Creedy West Mission Community 2part of the North Creedy East Mission Community

Deanery of Christianity

1part of the East Exeter Mission Community 2part of the West Exe Mission Community

Deanery of Honiton

Deanery of Kenn

Deanery of Ottery

Deanery of Tiverton & Cullompton

1part of the Tiverton Mission Community

Deanery of Moreton

1part of the Bovey Valley Mission Community

Deanery of Newton Abbot and Ipplepen

1part of the Abbotskerswell Mission Community

Deanery of Okehampton

Deanery of Torbay

1part of the Our Lady & All the Saints Mission Community 2part of the West Torquay Mission Community 3part of the All Saints & St Luke Mission Community

Deanery of Totnes

1part of the Three Rivers Mission Community

Deanery of Woodleigh

Deanery of Barnstaple

1part of the Coast and Combe Mission Community (which also includes the parishes of Berrynarbor and Combe Martin from Shirwell deanery) 2part of the Barnstaple Mission Community

Deanery of Hartland

Deanery of Holsworthy

1part of the Holsworthy Mission Community

Deanery of Shirwell

1part of the Coast and 'Combe Mission Community (which also includes seven churches from Barnstaple deanery) 2part of the Lyn Valley Mission Community

Deanery of South Molton

Deanery of Torrington

1part of the Winkleigh Mission Community

Deanery of Ivybridge

1part of the South Dartmoor Mission Community 2part of the Yealm & Erme Mission Community 3part of the Yealmside Mission Community

Deanery of Plymouth City

1part of the Holy Family Mission Community 2part of the Sacred Heart Mission Community

Deanery of Tavistock

1part of the Tamar Mission Community 2part of the Tavy Mission Community

References

References

1. [http://www.creditonfestival2009.co.uk/index.html Crediton Festival 2009] {{webarchive. link. (21 May 2009 . Retrieved 5 June 2008.)
2. [http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/Exeter/ExeterHist1850/Ecclesiastical.html Exeter: Ecclesiastical History] {{Webarchive. link. (1 October 2006 . Retrieved 5 June 2008.)
3. "Hawkins, Richard Stephen".
4. {{Who's Who
5. ''Exeter Diocese: Resources'' in "CCEd, the [[Clergy of the Church of England database]]" (Accessed [http://theclergydatabase.org.uk/reference/diocesan-resources/a-z-list-of-dioceses/exeter-diocese-resources/ online], 5 February 2014)
6. "CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST PETER".
7. "The Benefice of Aylesbeare (Blessed Virgin Mary), Clyst St George, Clyst St Mary, Farringdon, Woodbury with Exton, and Woodbury Salterton".
8. "The Benefice of Broadclyst (St John the Baptist), Clyst Honiton, Pinhoe, Rockbeare and Sowton".
9. "The Benefice of Budleigh Salterton (St Peter), East Budleigh with Bicton, and Otterton".
10. "The Benefice of Littleham (St Margaret) with Lympstone".
11. "The Benefice of Withycombe Raleigh (St John the Evangelist) (St John in the Wilderness) (All Saints)".
12. "The Benefice of Bow (St Bartholomew) with Broad Nymet".
13. "The Benefice of Colebrooke (St Andrew)".
14. "The Benefice of Zeal Monachorum (St Peter)".
15. "The Benefice of Brampford Speke (St Peter), Cadbury, Newton St Cyres, Poltimore, Rewe, Stoke Canon, Thorverton and Upton Pyne".
16. "The Benefice of Crediton (Holy Cross) (St Lawrence) Shobrooke and Sandford with Upton Hellions".
17. "The Benefice of Creedy, North: Cheriton Fitzpaine, Woolfardisworthy, Kennerley, Washford Pyne, Puddington, Poughill, Stockleigh English, Morchard Bishop, Stockleigh Pomeroy, Down St Mary, Clannaborough, Lapford, Nymet Rowland, and Coldridge".
18. "The Benefice of Alphington (St Michael and All Angels), Shillingford St George and Ide".
19. "The Benefice of Exeter (St David) (St Michael and All Angels)".
20. "The Benefice of Exeter (St James)".
21. "The Benefice of Exeter (St Leonard with Holy Trinity)".
22. "The Benefice of Exeter (St Mark) (St Matthew) (St Sidwell)".
23. "The Benefice of Whipton (St Boniface)".
24. "The Benefice of Exeter Holy Trinity".
25. ["The Benefice of Exeter, Central (St Martin) (St Mary Arches) (St Olave) (St Pancras) (St Petrock) (St Stephen)"](https://www.crockford.org.uk/places/7656/the-benefice-of-exeter,-central-(st-martin)-(st-mary-arches)-(st-olave)-(st-pancras)-(st-petrock)-(s).
26. "The Benefice of Exwick (St Andrew)".
27. "The Benefice of Exeter (St Thomas the Apostle) (Emmanuel) (St Andrew) (St Philip)".
28. "The Benefice of Heavitree (St Michael and All Angels) (St Lawrence) and St Mary Steps".
29. "The Benefice of Topsham (St Margaret) and Wear".
30. "The Benefice of Axminster (St Mary), Chardstock, All Saints, Combpyne with Rousdon and Membury".
31. "The Benefice of Broadhembury (St Andrew the Apostle and Martyr), Dunkeswell, Luppitt, Plymtree, Sheldon, and Upottery".
32. "The Benefice of Colyton (St Andrew), Musbury, Southleigh and Branscombe".
33. "The Benefice of Honiton (St Michael) (St Paul), Gittisham, Combe Raleigh, Monkton, Awliscombe and Buckerell".
34. "The Benefice of Kilmington (St Giles), Stockland, Dalwood, Yarcombe and Shute".
35. "The Benefice of Offwell (St Mary the Virgin), Northleigh, Farway, Cotleigh and Widworthy".
36. "The Benefice of Seaton (St Gregory) and Beer".
37. "The Benefice of Uplyme (St Peter and St Paul) with Axmouth".
38. "The Benefice of Christow (St James), Ashton, Bridford, Dunchideock, Dunsford and Doddiscombsleigh".
39. "The Benefice of Dawlish (St Gregory), Cofton and Starcross".
40. "The Benefice of Exminster (St Martin), Kenn, Kenton with Mamhead, and Powderham".
41. "The Benefice of Tedburn St Mary (St Mary), Cheriton Bishop, Whitestone with Oldridge and Holcombe Burnell".
42. "The Benefice of Teignmouth (St James) (St Michael the Archangel), Ideford with Luton, Ashcombe and Bishopsteignton".
43. "The Benefice of Ottery St Mary (St Mary the Virgin), Alfington, West Hill, Tipton St John, Venn Ottery, Newton Poppleford, Harpford, Colaton Raleigh, Payhembury, Feniton and Escot".
44. "The Benefice of Sidmouth (St Nicholas with St Giles), Woolbrook, Salcombe Regis, Sidbury with Sidford, and All Saints Sidmouth".
45. "The Benefice of Whimple (St Mary), Talaton, Clyst St Lawrence and Clyst Hydon".
46. "The Benefice of Bampton (St Michael and All Angels), Morebath, Clayhanger, Petton and Huntsham".
47. "The Benefice of Bradninch (St Disen)".
48. "The Benefice of Cullompton (St Andrew) (Langford Chapel)".
49. "The Benefice of Hemyock (St Mary) with Culm Davy, Clayhidon and Culmstock".
50. "The Benefice of Sampford Peverell (St John the Baptist), Uplowman, Holcombe Rogus, Hockworthy, Burlescombe and Halberton with Ash Thomas".
51. "The Benefice of Silverton (St Mary), Butterleigh, Bickleigh and Cadeleigh".
52. "The Benefice of Tiverton (St Peter) and Chevithorne with Cove".
53. "The Benefice of Tiverton (St Andrew)".
54. "The Benefice of Tiverton (St George) (St Paul)".
55. "The Benefice of Washfield (St Mary the Virgin), Stoodleigh, Withleigh, Calverleigh, Oakford, Templeton, Loxbeare, Rackenford, and Cruwys Morchard".
56. "The Benefice of Willand (St Mary the Virgin), Uffculme, Kentisbeare and Blackborough".
57. "The Benefice of Ashburton (St Andrew), Bickington, Buckland in the Moor, Holne, Huccaby, Leusdon, Princetown, Postbridge, and Widecombe-In-The-Moor".
58. "The Benefice of Bovey Tracey (St John the Evangelist) with Heathfield".
59. "The Benefice of Bovey Tracey (St Peter and St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury) with Hennock".
60. "The Benefice of Ilsington (St Michael)".
61. "The Benefice of Moretonhampstead (St Andrew), Manaton, North Bovey and Lustleigh".
62. "The Benefice of Chudleigh (St Mary and St Martin) with Chudleigh Knighton and Trusham".
63. "The Benefice of Kingskerswell (St Mary) with Coffinswell".
64. "The Benefice of Abbotskerswell (Blessed Virgin Mary)".
65. "The Benefice of Ipplepen (St Andrew) with Torbryan, Denbury, Broadhempston and Woodland".
66. "The Benefice of Kingsteignton (St Michael) and Teigngrace".
67. "The Benefice of Newton Abbot (All Saints) (St Mary) (St Paul)".
68. "The Benefice of Shaldon (St Nicholas) (St Peter), Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead and Haccombe".
69. "The Benefice of Chagford (St Michael), Gidleigh, Throwleigh, Drewsteignton, South Tawton, Spreyton, Hittisleigh, North Tawton, Bondleigh, Honeychurch and Sampford Courtenay".
70. "The Benefice of Okehampton (All Saints) (St James), Inwardleigh, Belstone, Sourton, Bridestowe, Bratton Clovelly, Germansweek, Lydford, Hatherleigh, Northlew with Ashbury, Exbourne, Meeth and Jacobstowe".
71. "The Benefice of Brixham (St Mary) (All Saints) with Churston Ferrers and Kingswear".
72. "The Benefice of Cockington (St George and St Mary) (St Matthew)".
73. "The Benefice of Shiphay Collaton (St John the Baptist)".
74. "The Benefice of Goodrington (St George) and Collaton St Mary".
75. "The Benefice of Paignton (Christ Church) and Preston St Paul".
76. "The Benefice of Paignton (St John the Baptist) (St Andrew) (St Boniface)".
77. "The Benefice of St Marychurch (St Mary the Virgin)".
78. "The Benefice of Torquay (St John)".
79. "The Benefice of Babbacombe (All Saints)".
80. "The Benefice of Torquay (St Martin) Barton".
81. "The Benefice of Torquay (St Matthias) (St Mark) (Holy Trinity)".
82. "The Benefice of Torre (All Saints)".
83. "The Benefice of Torquay (St Luke)".
84. "The Benefice of Upton (St Mary Magdalene)".
85. "The Benefice of Brent, South (St Petroc) and Rattery".
86. "The Benefice of Dartmouth (St Petrox) (St Saviour) and Dittisham".
87. "The Benefice of Diptford (St Mary the Virgin), North Huish, Harberton, Harbertonford, Halwell and Moreleigh".
88. "The Benefice of Ermington (St Peter and St Paul) and Ugborough".
89. "The Benefice of Staverton (St Paul De Leon) with Landscove, Littlehempston, Buckfastleigh and Dean Prior".
90. "The Benefice of Totnes (St Mary) with Bridgetown, Berry Pomeroy, Dartington, Maarldon, Ashprington, Cornworthy and Stoke Gabriel".
91. "The Benefice of Kingsbridge (St Edmund the King and Martyr), Dodbrooke, and West Alvington".
92. "The Benefice of Modbury (St George), Bigbury, Ringmore, Kingston, and Aveton Gifford".
93. "The Benefice of Salcombe (Holy Trinity) and Malborough with South Huish".
94. "The Benefice of Stoke Fleming (St Peter), Blackawton, Strete and East Allington".
95. "The Benefice of Stokenham (St Michael and All Angels), Slapton, Charleton with Buckland-Tout-Saints, East Portlemouth, South Pool, and Chivelstone".
96. "The Benefice of Thurlestone (All Saints), South Milton, Churchstow, Woodleigh and Loddiswell".
97. "The Benefice of Braunton (St Brannock)".
98. "The Benefice of Fremington (St Peter), Instow and Westleigh".
99. "The Benefice of Fremington (St Peter)".
100. "The Benefice of Georgeham (St George)".
101. "The Benefice of Heanton Punchardon (St Augustine), Marwood and West Down".
102. "The Benefice of Ilfracombe (Holy Trinity) (St Peter), Lee, Woolacombe, Bittadon and Mortehoe".
103. "The Benefice of Ilfracombe (St Philip and St James)".
104. "The Benefice of Newport (St John the Baptist) and Bishops Tawton".
105. "The Benefice of Pilton (St Mary the Virgin) with Ashford".
106. "The Benefice of Sticklepath (St Paul) with Roundswell".
107. "The Benefice of Barnstaple (Holy Trinity) and Goodleigh".
108. "The Benefice of Barnstaple (St Peter and St Mary Magdalene)".
109. "The Benefice of Abbotsham (St Helen)".
110. "The Benefice of Appledore (St Mary), Northam, and Westward Ho!".
111. "The Benefice of Bideford (St Mary), Landcross, Littleham, Monkleigh, and Weare Gifford".
112. "The Benefice of Parkham (St James), Alwington, Buckland Brewer, Hartland, Welcombe, Clovelly, Woolfardisworthy West, Bucks Mills and Lundy".
113. "The Benefice of Ashwater (St Peter Ad Vincula), Halwill, Beaworthy, Clawton and Tetcott with Luffincott".
114. "The Benefice of Black Torrington (St Mary), Bradford with Cookbury, Thornbury and Highampton".
115. "The Benefice of Bradworthy (St John the Baptist), Sutcombe, Putford, Abbots Bickington, Bulkworthy, and Milton Damerel".
116. "The Benefice of Holsworthy (St Peter and St Paul), Hollacombe, Pyworthy, Pancrasweek and Bridgerule".
117. "The Benefice of Lynton (St Mary the Virgin), Brendon, Countisbury, Parracombe, Martinhoe and Trentishoe".
118. "The Benefice of Shirwell (St Peter), Loxhore, Kentisbury, Arlington, East Down, Bratton Fleming, Challacombe and Stoke Rivers".
119. "The Benefice of Swimbridge (St James the Apostle), West Buckland, Landkey, and East Buckland".
120. "The Benefice of Bishopsnympton (St Mary the Virgin), Charles, East Anstey, High Bray, Knowstone, Mariansleigh, Molland, North Molton with Twitchen, Rose Ash, and West Anstey".
121. "The Benefice of Burrington (Holy Trinity), Chawleigh, Cheldon, Chulmleigh, Meshaw, Romansleigh, Thelbridge, Wembworthy with Eggesford, Witheridge with Creacombe, East Worlington and West Worlington".
122. "The Benefice of Molton, South (St Mary Magdalene) with Nymet St George, Chittlehamholt, Chittlehampton with Umberleigh, Filleigh, Kingsnympton, and Warkleigh with Satterleigh".
123. "The Benefice of Ashreigney (St James)".
124. "The Benefice of Broadwoodkelly (All Saints)".
125. "The Benefice of Brushford (St Mary the Virgin)".
126. "The Benefice of Winkleigh (All Saints)".
127. "The Benefice of Dolton (St Edmund King and Martyr), Dowland, Iddesleigh, and Monkokehampton".
128. "The Benefice of Newton Tracey (St Thomas À Becket), Horwood, Alverdiscott, Huntshaw, Yarnscombe, Tawstock, Atherington, High Bickington, Roborough, St Giles in the Wood and Beaford".
129. "The Benefice of Shebbear (St Michael), Buckland Filleigh, Sheepwash, Langtree, Newton St Petrock, Petrockstowe, Petersmarland, Merton and Huish".
130. "The Benefice of Torrington, Great (St Michael), Little Torrington and Frithelstock".
131. "The Benefice of Sparkwell (All Saints)".
132. "The Benefice of Cornwood (St Michael and All Angels)".
133. "The Benefice of Ivybridge (St John the Evangelist) with Harford".
134. "The Benefice of Holbeton (All Saints)".
135. "The Benefice of Newton Ferrers (Holy Cross) with Revelstoke".
136. "The Benefice of Wembury (St Werburgh)".
137. "The Benefice of Yealmpton (St Bartholomew) and Brixton".
138. "The Benefice of Bickleigh Roborough (St Mary the Virgin) and Shaugh Prior".
139. "The Benefice of Plymouth Crownhill (Ascension)".
140. "The Benefice of Charles with Plymouth St Matthias".
141. "The Benefice of Devonport (St Bartholomew) and Ford St Mark".
142. "The Benefice of Plymouth (St Gabriel) Peverell".
143. "The Benefice of Sutton-On-Plym (St John the Evangelist), Plymouth St Simon and St Mary Laira".
144. "The Benefice of Devonport (St Boniface)".
145. "The Benefice of Weston Mill (St Philip)".
146. "The Benefice of Devonport (St Budeaux)".
147. "The Benefice of Devonport (St Michael) (St Barnabas)".
148. "The Benefice of Eggbuckland (St Edward) with Estover".
149. "The Benefice of Elburton (St Matthew)".
150. "The Benefice of Ernesettle (St Aidan), Whitleigh and Honicknowle".
151. "The Benefice of Pennycross (St Pancras)".
152. "The Benefice of Plymouth (Emmanuel), St Paul Efford and St Augustine".
153. "The Benefice of Plymouth (St Andrew) and St Paul Stonehouse".
154. "The Benefice of Plymouth (St Jude)".
155. "The Benefice of Plymouth (St Peter) and the Holy Apostles".
156. "The Benefice of Plympton (St Mary the Blessed Virgin) (St Maurice)".
157. "The Benefice of Plymstock (St Mary and All Saints) and Hooe".
158. "The Benefice of Stoke Damerel (St Andrew with St Luke) and Devonport St Aubyn".
159. "The Benefice of Tamerton Foliot (St Mary) and Southway".
160. "The Benefice of Bere Ferrers (St Andrew)".
161. "The Benefice of Buckland Monachorum (St Andrew)".
162. "The Benefice of Lifton (St Mary), Broadwoodwidger, Stowford, Lewtrenchard, Thrushelton and Kelly with Bradstone".
163. "The Benefice of Milton Abbot (St Constantine), Dunterton, Lamerton, Sydenham Damerel, Marystowe and Coryton".
164. "The Benefice of Peter Tavy (St Peter) and Mary Tavy".
165. "The Benefice of Tavistock (St Eustachius), Gulworthy and Brent Tor".
166. "The Benefice of Whitchurch (St Andrew)".
167. "The Benefice of Yelverton (St Paul), Meavy, Sheepstor, Walkhampton, Sampford Spiney and Horrabridge".