The Churchward Families of Stoke Gabriel: Rev Marcus Dimond Dimond-Churchward

Rev. Marcus Dimond Dimond-Churchward, M.A.

At Northam Vicarage, near Bideford--that historic little spot which Kingsley immortalized in Westward Ho ! as the scene of many of Amyas Leigh's earlier exploits--has dwelt for thirty seven years the Reverend Marcus Dimond-Churchward, M.A., whose name is beloved and respected throughout the countryside. Mr. Churchward first saw the light at Stoke Gabriel and is a West countryman bred and born.

He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, of which seat of learning he became a Bachelor of Arts in 1859 and a Master of Arts four years later. Feeling that the Church was his vocation, Mr. Churchward took Holy Orders, being ordained a Deacon in 1860 by the Bishop of Bath and Wells and consecrated a Priest by the Bishop of Exeter in 1863.

In the year of his ordination as a Deacon, Mr. Churchward was appointed to the curacy of St. John's, Kenwyn, and this office he filled until four-and-a-half years subsequent to his ordination, when he was appointed Curate of St. Paul's, one of the most important churches in the thriving town of Devonport. After a sojourn of one year in Devonport he removed to the adjacent town of Stonehouse, being appointed Perpetual Curate of St. Paul's. Here he remained until 1870, in which year he was offered and accepted the living of Northam, a living of which he has been the incumbent ever since.

Possessed of a genial manner and able to suit his discourses to the trained intellects of his parishioners, Mr. Churchward is quite one of Devonshire's most popular clergymen, and it would indeed be a sad day for his parishioners were he for any reason to resign his living.

Mr. Churchward has intimately concerned himself with the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare of his flock, and acts as Chairman of the Bideford Board of Guardians, whilst he once upon a time acted in a similar capacity upon the Northam Urban District Council. He was Rural Dean of Hartland from 1880 to 1905.

A broad-minded man, he does not view the political situation through narrow glasses, but thoroughly recognises that whereas both Parties alike have good points, they, as a natural corollary, both possess their bad traits. He might, perhaps, be best described as a Liberal-Conservative.

From Devonshire Leaders: Social and Political (published 1919 (?))