TWO iconic buildings in Chardstock are celebrating major milestones this week.

The congregation at St Andrew’s Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary while Chardstock School will notch up 175 years.

St Andrew’s Church has been part of Chardstock since the 11th Century, but was rebuilt 150 years ago as the building fell into disrepair – today, very little of the original building exists.

Peter Wood’s book, St Andrew’s Church in Chardstock, states that in 1834 the Rev Charles Woodcock set about the task of changing the face of the village, and began by demolishing the old vicarage and re-building it on the same site.

He then built the old school, St Andrew’s College, and houses to accommodate the staff and pupils.

Finally, he built the church as it stands now with the whole project costing around £5,000, funded by his brother, T. Parry Woodcock, and contributions from friends.

The original church had 435 seats, 159 of which were free, while the remainder were allocated. The number increased in 1864 to 568.

Many pews have been removed, leaving part of the north and south aisles for exhibitions and refreshments, while chairs are provided for large congregations.

Before 1868 the tower had five bells, but now there are six for ringing and one for striking the hour.

The ringing six, two of which were broken, were cast or re-cast in 1868. They were re-tuned and rehung in 1974-5.

George Bourne was headmaster of Chardstock School when he wrote the well-known ‘Chardstock’ hymn ‘Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour’ in 1874.

On Friday, children and staff at the school will be dressing up for their Victorian Day.

On Saturday, an exhibition on Chardstock’s history will be held in the school from 11am to 5pm.

There are also tours of the church tower to see the bells and clock, stewarded by the bellringers from 11am to 3pm on Saturday.

The church’s main event is on Sunday when a special service will mark the anniversaries.

It will start at 6.30pm, and will be combined with the normal harvest festival and harvest supper.