The church is open during daylight hours and offers a peaceful atmosphere away from the busy world. It has a welcoming feel and the excellent lighting shows the wonderful roof carvings; the ringing chamber is open so you can see the ancient ‘hatchments’ and unusual memorial. Take a look at the 18th century clock on your left by the tower doors– it had languished in the clock tower for generations before being lovingly restored.
Exciting news!
The church has been awarded a Certificate of Merit in Devon’s CPRE Best Churchyard Competition 2023.
There is detailed information on the Devon ChurchLands site. In addition to fascinating information, it has wonderful photos.
April 2025 Services
27th – 10am Holy Communion
May 2025 Services
4th – no service but check the Mission Community site for services locally
11th – 10am Morning Worship
18th – 10am Morning Worship
25th – 10am Holy Communion
Thursday 29th – Ascension Day – 7pm at Whimple Church

St James the Great Church, Talaton
The church looking great at Christmas
Key Information:
- To know Christ and to make Him known
- Services every week through the month
- Holy Communion, Morning Worship and Morning Prayer
- Bell ringing
- Church open during daylight hours
- Our Rector is Marc Kerslake 01404 822525
- St James the Great Church, Church Road, Talaton, EX5 2RL What3Words folds.actual.forwarded
- Churchwarden is Charlie Hutchings pcc@larkbeare.net
- Toddlers group - first and third Friday each month. 10.30am to noon
- Toilet available during services
- Fantastic LED lighting
- Eco Church Bronze Award
- Wi-fi
- More details on Devon Churchland
- Safeguarding issues contact administrator@eastclystchurches.org
- Card reader in church
About the Church:
Nestled in one of Devon’s best kept villages – Talaton – St James the Great Church is open every day during daylight hours. The church at Talaton is a very fine Grade I building, outstanding even in an area of the country graced with many other beautiful churches. For nearly a thousand years there has been a place of Christian worship at this site and it is fairly certain that a small Norman church stood here in the 12th century. Its late Norman font still stands in the current church, much of which dates from the 15th century, replacing a smaller, simpler church.
Weekly Services
We offer friendly services, open to all, throughout the year:
First Sunday: No service here but check this link for what’s on in the other churches
Second Sunday: 10am Morning Worship
Third Sunday: 10am Morning Worship
Fourth Sunday: 10am Holy Communion
Coffee is usually served after each service
There is a long tradition of displaying a portrait of the Monarch in public buildings and we have one in the North Aisle.
The photograph of His Majesty was taken in autumn 2023 in Windsor Castle by photographer Hugo Burnand.
His Majesty is shown in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet (No. 1 Tailcoat) and is wearing the Garter Collar and Sovereign’s Badge, Garter Star, Thistle Star, the Bath Sovereign’s Badge, the Order of Merit, The Royal Victorian Order’s Royal Victorian Chain and GCVO Sash, as well as a set of medals on his medal bar.
