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Jubilee 2,000 Boniface feast On June 5, the feast of St Boniface was celebrated in
great style at the National Shrine in Park Road, Crediton, which has
been declared a special place of pilgrimage this year. The Rt Rev Christopher
Budd, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Plymouth Diocese, together with the
Cathedral Chapter comprising the Provost and nine Canons and several
other diocesan priests, celebrated a sung Mass in honour of St Boniface,
the patron of the Diocese. The church was packed to capacity and among
the congregation were ministers and representatives from the other churches
in Crediton. Cllr Joyce Harris, deputy mayor and John Gaskell represented
the Town Council.
Sheltered from the worst excesses of the weather by gentle rolling hills which form part of Devon's beautiful countryside, the ancient market town of Crediton has a rich heritage. The parish church of the Holy Cross was, at one time, the seat of the Bishop of the Devon Diocese but in 1050 the Bishop moved his seat to nearby Exeter. The town's most famous son, St. Boniface, was born in the town in 680AD. He became a great Christian missionary, one of the founder members of the Christian church in Europe. His importance is recognised by Germany and the Netherlands, whose patron saint he is. From its earliest days Crediton (Kirton to some locals because that was its original name - church town) has been a market town. In bygone days the wide, curving, High Street saw cattle brought in for sale and slaughter. Sheepskins were used for a variety of purposes, rugs and jackets and the town had a flourishing woollen industry. Tanneries were prominent behind buildings on the north side of the High Street, as were pits and vats housing colour for the hides. Another associated industry was the making of shoes and boots. The town had its share of excitement during the Prayer Book Rebellion and the Civil War, when Cromwell's Ironsides camped on what is now Lords Meadow. Charles the First is also reputed to have reviewed his troops there! During the Napoleonic wars the town and district was the home for French prisoners of war, many of whom gave their parole not to take up arms or leave the area and who consequently enjoyed considerable freedom of movement. It is said that the cobblestone paths to the parish church were constructed by them. Much of the old town was destroyed by two fires. The worst one was in 1743, said to have been started by two young men who had drunk too much whilst left in charge of spit-roasting the family dinner. Nevertheless, there are many interesting little areas on both sides of the High Street which merit a visit. The town is well served with car parks and places to eat and drink. It has an industrial estate close to playing fields and flourishing sports clubs , plus a modern Sports and Leisure Centre which incorporates an indoor swimming pool. |