Programme for the day 
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Tavistock Abbey was founded in 981 by Ordulf, on instruction by
King Edgar.
By 1318, Abbot Robert Champeaux completed the
reconstruction and enlargement of this church and it was
re-dedicated on 21/May, 1318. Most of the walls and the base of
the tower of this building (in the sea-green volcanic Hurdwick
stone) still remain. Between 1425 and 1450 it was again partly
rebuilt in the present early perpendicular style, and the fourth
aisle, known as the ‘Clothworkers Aisle’, added by the gift
of Constance, widow of Maurice Bird. Externally the church has
changed little since then. The Tower base dates from 1318,
the higher parts from the 15th century. The arches in
the North and South walls formed the gateway to the Lay Cemetery
separating the parish church from the much longer and narrower
Abbey church. This was one of the four main entrances to the
Abbey. The height of the tower is 28 metres to the top of the
battlements. The Tower contains ten bells, eight of which
were given by the 4th Duke of Bedford in 1769. These
were re-cast and re-hung in 1925. The third of these is still
called "the Poor Bell" after one of the five which the
Duke’s bells replaced. The original had been given by an old
lady to be tolled whenever a poor person was buried because,
until then, no bell was tolled for the poor "to hasten
their departure into Heaven". Two more bells were added for
the millennium, partly with the aid of a grant from the
Millennium Commission.
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The organ was built to specifications drawn up by Dr
Samuel Wesley, then organist and grandson of Charles Wesley. The
organ was enlarged in 1952 and again in 1974 and again in 1989
with further pipes added in 1997. The oak screen was carved by
local craftsmen for the restoration of the interior of the
church in 1845. It was completed and the figures filled in in
1879. In 1845 the old pews of all heights and sizes were
replaced, their ends, and the choir bench ends beautifully
carved by local craftsmen, copying those in neighbouring local
churches, particularly the 11th century church at
Bere Ferrers.
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If there any stops that you've never heard of, or wonder what they are, go to:
www.organstops.org
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