Saint Paul's Church, Landkey

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Welcome to AD Verena

We were very pleased to welcome the Archdeacon of Barnstaple, Verena Breed to St Paul’s to lead our service of Holy Communion on 10th May 2026.

Inspired by the Gospel reading for the day, John 14:15-21 in which Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments", Verena asked who was the one person in our lives we would never wish to be separated from.

She raised her left arm and drew our attention to the band that she was wearing on her wrist before giving a touching account of why she wore it. When she was six years old, her daughter drew out a prize from a Lucky Dip at school. Bringing it home, she asked her mum what it was. Verena said that it was a friendship band and that she should give it to her best friend as a sign of their enduring bond. Her daughter thought for a moment, then said that her mum should have it - which she still has, nineteen years later!

In the same way, our love from God is enduring. We hope to welcome Verena back in the summer. A photo is included on this page.

Update: Verena sent us these words of thanks later: "Dear Hazel, Peter & Church Family at St Paul's, Landkey. Thank you for your warm welcome welcome yesterday - it was a privilege and joy to preach and preside. Thank you for your warm hospitality and witness to our risen Lord. Looking forward to seeing you again before long. May God bless you richly. Verena."

Sidney's Baptism

We were very pleased to welcome the Gratton family to the church on 17th May 2026 for the Baptism of Sidney Gratton. Familiarly know as Sid, he is the son of Chris and Georgie Gratton and the grandson of Revd Tim Treanor, who led the service.

It was a joyful occasion with hymns, "All things bright and beautiful", "Give me joy in my heart" and "This little light of mine" chosen by the family, with assistance from Revd Cathy. Emma Waldron read Psalm 122 (I was glad) while Peter Soper led the prayers. 

A photo is available to view on this page, with kind permission to use given by the Gratton family.

Table-Top sale

All are welcome to come along to our Table-Top sale in the Old School Centre in Landkey, between 10am and 12:30pm on 9th May. Entry is free.

Cakes and crafts will feature among the items for sale and refreshments will be on offer. 

At least two pictures will be available for purchase to the highest bidder, one of which is of St Paul's Church as it would have appeared around the year 1900.

More information on this picture and the event itself may be viewed or downloaded here:

Ciborium consecrated

At our service on 3rd May 2026, the inscribed ciborium donated by Allan and Evie Golding during their visit from Australia on 19th April 2026 in memory of Allan's great grandmother, Elizabeth, who is buried in St Paul's churchyard, was shown again to the congregation. The words in the accompanying card from Allan and Evie were read out by Emma:

"This personalised ciborium is gifted to the good folks of St Paul's Landkey in sincere appreciation for their friendship and devoted assistance in us being able to locate & honor our ancestor Elizabeth "Annie" Jones Golding. The Goldings of Goodavale, Jeir, NSW Australia."

Cathy had consecrated the ciborium on 26th April but this service presented a more relaxed occasion allocate the gift the attention it deserved as the Annual Meeting took place on the previous Sunday.

Christian Aid week

St Paul’s, in common with other churches, will be supporting Christian Aid Week, 10th - 16th May 2026.

Christian Aid aims to reduce poverty wherever it is encountered around the world. This year's campaign will focus on helping people living in poverty in Nairobi to grow their own food.

We will not be making door-to-door collections, but we would welcome any donations to this cause. If you would like a donation envelope, please let us know via the Contact Us page.

Further information can be found on:

Welcome to Allan and Evie

At our service on 19th April 2026, we welcomed Allan and Evie Golding from New South Wales, Australia. They were visiting the grave of Allan's great grandmother, Elizabeth "Annie" Golding who died at the age of 35 in 1879 and is buried in the churchyard.

They had travelled down from Bourton-on-the-Water that morning and were making the return trip after the service. We were very pleased to welcome them and were delighted when they made an unexpected gift to the church of a ciborium engraved with words in memory of Annie.

A photograph is included on this page.