St. Thomas of Canterbury, Kingswear

The vicar of Kingswear was the Reverend F. H. Keyworth, who was well loved in the village, and known by everybody, including the Free French and H.M. forces. He was an excellent musician, played the organ and wrote words and tunes to several hymns, which sadly are no longer used, one being for St. Thomas’ festal day.

There was a church choir of about sixteen boys and eight men. The organist and choirmaster was Norman Weekes, who was a fitter at the shipyard. There was a communion service every Sunday at 8.00am. I was one of the servers, with my brothers, Ted Burrows, Norman Short, Steve Passmore and Desmond Kelland. At 11.00am was Mattins and at 6.30pm, Evensong. Once a month, there was a communion after the 11.00am service and on church festival days.  Sunday school was at 10.00am and 2.30pm.  At times, the number of children on role was over forty; the number was expanded with evacuees.  Sheila (my wife) helped Miss Wordsworth and Iris Reid who set up the Kingswear Childrens’ Club to occupy the children during the week.

Local girls were married in the church to members of H.M. forces and two girls married Free French sailors. Thomas Wilton and Bill Harris were the church wardens, Charlie Heal was the sexton; he kept the shop where the Post Office is now.  He cut hair and sold sweets and cigarettes and was the village postman.  Also involved in the church were Dr. Hope-Gill, of Kingswear House, Colonel Hine-Hacock of Collins’ Quay, and Mr Wordsworth, descendant of the poet’s and Bishop Wordsworth’s family.

Reverend Keyworth was frequently in conversation with the Free French sailors, and told their Padre, he could use the church. Each Ascension Day, all the children from Kingswear Primary School used to process down to the church to take part in the special service. Until the mid-seventies when Sheila gave up Sunday school teaching, there were still 30 plus children on role, many of whom came from outlying country districts; there was also a Young Mums club, associated with the Sunday school and church, who used to meet socially once a month in the Trust room, and organised outings and concerts etc.

Sunday school outings were held on the hill above Hoodown Farm, at Nethway House and at the (Brownstone) Landmark. Scouts were also involved with tents etc. During my father’s and Mr Roscoe’s time as wardens, they started the harvest supper.  My mother, Mrs Roscoe and the Mothers’ Union members helped with the meal.

Kingswear Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

The chapel has latterly become three dwellings; it was closed in the seventies. The Pastor came from Dartmouth and at least two services were held, plus Sunday school. There was an evening meeting for children during the week; this was also attended by the church children. There was often a magic lantern show about missionary work in Africa.  One family, the Wills were running a hospital in Africa for leprosy.  Prominent chapel members were Mr Powlesland, the dairyman, who was a lay reader, John Roberts, The Wills family, Mr Eckhart of Jubilee terrace and the Tucker family of Kircum Park. The headmistress of Kingswear School, Miss Hayward was also a member and very involved.

Reg Little
Kingswear History Remembered