ST Edmund’s in Kingsbridge will be holding a Thanksgiving Service for the repair and restoration of the church’s stained glass windows on Sunday, July 3.

In December 2015, the scaffolding came down and once again the morning sunshine flooded through the two magnificent stained glass windows in the church’s south facade.

Following a structural examination in March 2014, the ‘sea window’ - dating from 1904, and the ‘chapel window’ - dating back to the 1880s, were found to be unstable, with a significant risk of stone and glass falling away.

Duncan McDonald, church warden of St Edmund’s explained: ‘The earlier 19th century stonework in the mullions and traceries cracked and crumbled due to weathering effects and small movements of the south aisle walls.

‘The church leadership were left with no choice, and restraining scaffolding was erected to remove the risk of falling debris and to protect the precious glass from further damage.

‘The cost of repair and restoration would be considerable and well beyond the church’s existing means, but doing nothing was not an option and so the task of raising the funds commenced, with the daunting prospect of borrowing the funds as a fall back option; and John Mayne stonemason and Heritage Stained Glass were engaged to start the work.’

Duncan continued: ‘Amazingly, thanks to the generosity of the congregation and the many visitors who ‘sponsored a pane of glass’; a grant from the South Hams District Councils’ Investing in Devon Fund; and release of funding from the Kingsbridge Feoffees Town Lands Extraordinary Repair Charity, the money was raised before the work was completed, and the church didn’t need to borrow a penny!

‘For all this we give thanks.’

To celebrate the completion of the work, the restoration of their beautiful windows and the generosity of all who helped fund the projec, there will be a Thanksgiving Service followed by light refreshments, in St Edmund’s Church at 6pm on Sunday, July 3 with the Archdeacon of Totnes – the Venerable Douglas Dettmer.

All are welcome to join in the church’s celebrations.