Background

Crediton became the seat of Devon’s first diocesan Bishop in 909 and after the cathedral was moved to Exeter in 1050 a collegiate church was established here.  At the Reformation Holy Cross was bought back from King Henry VIII to serve as a parish church and was vested in a board of twelve Governors whose successors still care for the church building.

There is a long musical tradition, which can be traced back to the time of the collegiate foundation which included 12 vicars-choral.

Today the choir has over 40 members aged from 8 to over 80 and is open to anyone who is prepared to rise to the challenge.  Many young people have gained a formative experience and training here within the Anglican Christian tradition of church music.  The choir is led by the Director of Music and the Assistant Organist.  Additionally, Holy Cross has a well established tradition of choral and organ scholars who gain valuable experience and contribute significantly to the life and worship of the church.  The choir sing weekly at the Eucharist or Choral Evensong, and travel to cathedrals to sing Evensong and make tours abroad, most recently to Fulda (Germany), Dokkum (Netherlands), Sarasota (Florida U.S.A.) and Avranches (France).

The choir has also sung live and recorded services for the BBC at national and local levels, made a number of CDs and gives regular concerts at Holy Cross.

There is also a music group which accompanies more informal services.

Holy Cross serves as a wonderful venue for concerts held by the Boniface Concert Society and other local groups.

The Endowment Fund Aims

In order to sustain a very high standard of music within worship we need regular, reliable funding.

To achieve this we aim to raise a capital sum of at least £250,000.  The interest from this sum will be used in the following ways:

1.  To help pay for existing or newly established choral and organ scholarships

2.  To provide financial assistance to children in the choir or music group to pay for instrumental tuition

3.  To supplement Parochial Church Council expenditure on music staff salaries

4.  To enhance singing tuition within the choir

We hope not only to maintain our standards but to broaden our musical range and outreach.