three congregations
one mission
Your Church of England community on the estuary, the Taw and Torridge Estuary Churches is made up of the parishes of Westleigh, Instow and Fremington. We are part of the Diocese of Exeter.
Our congregations are committed to Safeguarding in order to provide worship in which all God's people, including children and vulnerable adults, are free to worship Him without fear.
rev chris painter, rector
Welcome to the website for the Taw and Torridge Estuary Churches. The mission community is made up of three congregations who meet in the villages along the glorious Taw and Torridge Estuary. We meet to give worship to our living God, as we have done for some 1600 years. The congregations are made up of ordinary women, men and young people who are all exploring what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the 21st century. That means discovering how to be fully human as God created us to be - and we make mistakes, get things wrong and discover that life can be messy; St Augustine suggested that churches are a barracks for saints, but also a hospital for sinners. Whichever you think you are we invite you warmly to join with us as we worship, read the bible, eat and celebrate together throughout all the seasons of the year be it a serious and thoughtful Lent or a candlelit, joyous celebration of Christmas. We ask no questions about your background or beliefs (although we hope you'll want to share some of your story with us), only that you come seeking the life full of abundance which Jesus brings.
You may want us to help you mark or celebrate:
the arrival of a child (be it birth or adoption),
a new relationship in marriage,
a milestone in a relationship (such as thanksgiving for a marriage anniversary)
the life of someone we have lost recently
the life of someone lost a while ago but whom you want to remember
anything God has done for which you're thankful
We look forward to meeting you soon.
in His service