This is the twenty-eighth item from Robert Dymond's book: "Things New and Old Concerning the Parish of Widecombe-in-the-Moor and its Neighbourhood" (1876)

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Restoration of the Parish Church of St Pancras WIDECOMBE-IN-THE-MOOR.

THIS ancient and very interesting Church, the Cathedral of Dartmoor, is a good specimen of early perpendicular, with a grand tower not unlike the well-known tower of Magdalen College, Oxford. It is, perhaps, the finest tower in Devon, and was erected, it is said, by tin- streamers of the 15th or 16th century, as a thankoffering to GOD for their success in the neighbourhood.

There is a very interesting contemporary account in the Harleian Miscellany, of a severe storm which did much damage here in 1638, which appears in another page.

The population — moorland, very scattered — is about 450, principally poor, but the Church is used by many outlying parishioners of Lidford, their own parish Church being many miles distant from them. A district — Leusden — with a population of about the same number, has within the last few years been separated from the mother parish, and a Church and residence for Clergyman, with endowment, and Schools, have been provided by a. lady well acquainted with the necessities of this wide moorland district.

The Church having, through past neglect, been allowed to fall into a. state of dilapidation and decay, strenuous efforts have been made during the present and late incumbency to collect funds for its restoration, but it is found quite impossible to complete it, situated as the parish is in the midst of a waste moorland district, by local efforts.

The whole rateable value of this large district, including Leusden, over 10,614 acres, is only £4,606, and the net income of the Incumbent £270.

Several Visitors to the place, quite unsolicited, and having no interest in the parish, having been struck by the sad condition of the Church, have tendered their assistance to the Vicar. It is at their suggestion that this appeal is sent forth, and it is hoped that some of those who have already subscribed will be disposed to give further assistance.

The Chancel was put in repair by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the impropriators of the Great Tithes, during a former Incumbency.

A list of subscriptions raised since the work of restoration was begun is appended ; but, the Church being very large, more funds are required to complete the work now in progress, in accordance with the plans and specifications of the Architect, Mr. James Hine, F. R. I. B. A.

An appeal for more money is therefore made to the churchmen of the Diocese and others interested in the work, and it is earnestly hoped that a speedy and liberal response to it will relieve the Committee of the necessity of suspending the work for want of the requisite funds.

Contributions will be thankfully received by the Ven. Archdeacon Earle, West Alvington Vicarage, Kingsbridge; B. J. P. Bastard, Esq., Buckland Court, near Ashburton ; T. Blackall, Esq.,M.D., 13, Southernhay, Exeter; R. Dymond, Esq., Bampfylde House, Exeter; F. H. Firth, Esq., Cator Court, near Ashburton; Miss Houstoun, Holne Chase, near Ashburton; R. Kitson, Esq., Torquay Bank, Torquay; Mrs. Larpent, Leusden, near Ashburton; or by the Vicar, the Rev. J. Williams, Widecombe, near Ashburton.

SUBSCRIPTION LIST - PART 1.

	£	s	d		£	s	d
By a Bazaar at Torquay	310	0	2	Fred.West, Esq.(2nd don.)	10	0	0
By Amateur Concert at Torquay	30	0	0	Sale of Coins (Miss Houston)	8	7	0
By a Bazaar at Bovey	30	3	9	Sale of Work (per Miss Arnold)	7	5	6
In memory of Mark Kennaway	100	0	0	Harvest Festival, 1875	6	2	8
The late Mark Kennaway, Esq.	60	0	0	Lignum	6	0	0
B. J. P. Bastard, Esq.	50	0	0	The Right Hon. Lord Coleridge	5	5	0
F. West, Esq.	50	0	0	Binford Selwood, Esq.	5	5	0
Rev. J. Williams	50	0	0	Lord Blachford	5	5	0
Antony Gibbs, Esq.	50	0	0	W. Marshall, Esq.	5	5	0
T. Blackall, Esq., M.D	40	0	0	F. C. Bryant, Esq.	5	5	0
Rev. W. B. Kennaway	29	10	0	F. H. Firth, Esq.(2nd don.)	5	5	0
‘ In Memoriam,’ G. Kennaway	25	0	0	Albert Grant, Esq.	5	5	0
The late Sir T. Acland, Bart.	20	10	0	A Friend (per Miss Arnold)	5	0	0
The Dean and Chapter of Exeter	20	0	0	Do. (per Rev. J. Williams)	5	0	0
Sale of Work (per Lady Kathrine Buchanan)	18	5	0	Mrs. Willoughby	5	0	0
Rev. W. B. Kennaway. “In Memoriam G.G.K.”	20	0	0	C. Millar, Esq, M.D.	5	0	0
E. Cazalet, Esq.	20	0	0	The late W. Gibbs, Esq.	5	0	0
Harvest Thanksgivings, 1869-74	17	11	6	Lady Acland	5	0	0
F. H. Firth, Esq.	15	15	0	Miss Whitter	5	0	0
Sale of Work (per Miss Houstoun)	15	15	0	Serjeant Cox	5	0	0
Mrs. Larpent	15	0	0	Rev. P. Cornish	5	0	0
The late Ven. Archdeacon Freeman	12	2	0	A. Champernowne, Esq.	5	0	0
Rev. R. Champernowne	11	5	0	Mrs. (Serjeant) Cox	5	0	0
The Ven. Arch. Earle	10	10	0	John Divett, Esq.	5	0	0
W. S. Hodgkinson, Esq., Wells	10	10	0	John E. Lee, Esq.	5	0	0
The late Sir W. P. Carew, Bart.	10	0	0	H. C. M. Phillipps, Esq.	5	0	0
Sir T.D.Acland,Bart ,M.P.	10	0	0	R. Dvmond, Esq.	5	0	0
F. Fletcher, Esq.	10	0	0	Mr. George Tully	5	0	0
Colonel Rous, Courtyrala, Glamorgan	10	0	0	R. Thornton West, Esq	5	0	0
Mrs. Beckett	10	0	0	John Stone, Esq.	5	0	0
The Lord Bishop of Exeter	10	0	0	Miss Houstoun	5	0	0
Rev. C. C. Turner	10	0	0	Miss Warrington, Torquay	5	0	0
Mrs. Drake	10	0	0	Mrs. Freeman, Exeter	5	0	0
The late J. Bryant, Esq.	10	0	0	J. N. Bennett, Esq.	5	0	0
The Misses Carew	10	0	0	Mrs. Lloyd	5	0	0
				Mrs. Harris	5	0	0
				Rev. G. F. Bullock	5	0	0
				Mrs. W. Buller	5	0	0
				C. H. Turner, Esq.	5	0	0
				Leusden Church Offertory 30th August, 1874	4	0	0
				Collecting Box at Heatree	3	16	0
				Sale of Work (Miss Whitter)	3	17	6
				Box in Church	3	12	2
				W. & C. Kitson (fee on Building Contract)	3	3	0

SUBSCRIPTION LIST - PART 2.

	£	s	d		£	s	d
Maurice Grant, Esq.	3	3	0	Edgar Crespin. Esq.	1	1	0
Miss Rous, Courtyrala	3	0	0	Rev. Percival Jackson	1	1	0
E. J. Gillman, Esq.	2	10	0	J. Bowden, Esq., Blackheath	1	1	0
Mr. John French	2	10	0	R. G. Abraham, Esq.	1	1	0
Sir J. H. Kennaway, Bart., M.P.	2	2	0	W. Bowman, Esq., London	1	1	0
Rev. Canon Cook	2	2	0	F. Drake, Exeter	1	1	0
C. J. Parkes, Esq.	2	2	0	Miss Glossop	1	1	0
Evan Powell, Esq.	2	2	0	Miss Bertha Glossop	1	1	0
Hon. and Rev. C. Courtenay	2	2	0	Mrs. Tosswill	1	1	0
Henry Tozer, Esq.	2	2	0	Mr. H. Hems	1	1	0
W. Lyne Fear, Esq.	2	2	0	Mr. P. Michelmore	1	1	0
Rev Preb. Acland	2	2	0	J. E. (Parishioner)	1	1	0
W. J. Cock, Esq.	2	2	0	G. F. King, Esq.	1	1	0
R. Greenwav, Esq.	2	2	0	Dr. Westall	1	1	0
Rev. J. T. Fisher	2	2	0	Rev. E. G. Sandford	1	0	0
Edward Green Esq.	2	2	0	W. Rogers. Esq., M.D.	1	0	0
Elphinstone Holloway, Esq.	2	2	0	J. T. Clover, Esq.	1	0	0
The Ven. Archdeacon Huxtable	2	2	0	J. L. Shadwell, Esq.	1	0	0
R. Durant, Esq.	2	2	0	G. G. Johnston, Esq.	1	0	0
Sir R. R. Torrens, M.P	2	2	0	Miss Dilkes	1	0	0
Mrs. Downall, Exeter	2	0	0	Rev. L. P. Welland	1	0	0
Winslow Jones, Esq.	2	0	0	Miss H. L. Kitson	1	0	0
The late E. H. Phillips, Esq., M.D., Bath	2	0	0	A Friend (R)	1	0	0
Miss Hirtzel	2	0	0	G. Burdon, Esq.	1	0	0
W. Kitson, Esq.	2	0	0	Misses Cartwright	1	0	0
W. W. Buller, Esq.	2	0	0	Rev. C. Chapman	1	0	0
Rev. W. H. Thornton	2	0	0	Miss Matthews	1	0	0
Jas. Bromfield, Esq.,Usk, Monmouth	2	0	0	Mrs. Henry Palk	1	0	0
The Hon. Mrs. Arbuthnot	2	0	0	Mrs. Ryder	1	0	0
Mrs. Auldjo	2	0	0	Mrs. $argent	1	0	0
C.Cazalet, Esq.	2	0	0	Rev. J. M. Ware	1	0	0
Rev. C. A. Hoggan	2	0	0	John Hankey. Esq.	1	0	0
J. Luscombe, Esq., Combe Royal	2	0	0	Rev. W. C. Gibbs	1	0	0
Miss lsabella Martin	2	0	0	Rev. C. Worthy	1	0	0
Rev. F. A. Savile	2	0	0	— Windeatt	1	1	0
Rev. W. J. Smithwick	2	0	0	Alfred Hingston, Esq.	1	1	0
Work sold (per Mrs. Larpent)	2	15	0	Miss Treby	1	1	0
Rev. W. F. Gray	2	0	0	Mrs. Matthews	1	1	0
Rev. F. Ensor	2	0	0	Mr. W. Upcott	1	1	0
Mrs. Ann Tyrrell	2	0	0	James Donelan, Esq.	1	1	0
Rev. Geo. Morris	2	0	0	A. T. Binney, Esq.	0	15	0
C. A. Bentinck, Esq.	2	0	0	Mr. John Watson	0	10	6
Sale of Work (per Mrs. W. Kitson)	2	0	0	G. W. Ormerod. Esq.	0	10	0
Alms Chest	1	7	0	Rev. Arthur Fletcher	0	10	0
J. Vicary, Esq.	1	1	0	Miss Ellen Ware	0	10	0
W. Mitchell, Esq., Solicitor, Edinburgh	1	1	0	C. Wilton, Esq.	0	10	0
Mallaby Firth, Esq.	1	1	0	A Well Wisher, Ashburton	0	10	0
The Baroness De Verte	1	1	0	G. E. Hearder, Esq.	0	10	0
Messrs. Colborne & Ward	1	1	0	Rev. H. Ware	0	10	0
T. Patrick, Esq.	1	1	0	J. Webber, Esq.	0	10	0
				Miss E. Buller	0	10	0
				Mrs. Husson	0	7	6
				John Baskevil (Flyman)	0	5	0
				Miss Cole	0	5	0
				Miss Jameson	0	5	0
				W. Aggett	0	5	0
				R. Hannaford, Pitton	0	5	0
				A Friend	0	2	6
W. J. Owen Tucker Esq., a granite Pulpit.
Miss Dyott, Torquay, Utrecht velvet Altar Cloth.
John Stone, Esq., a lightning Conductor.

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