Church marks 200 years of historic angel statues

A Somerset church is celebrating 200 years since a group of angel statues with links to kings, queens, Sir Christopher Wren and Westminster Abbey, arrived in the county.

St Andrew's Church in Burnham-on-Sea, has been marking the anniversary with a series of community events, culminating with a rededication and blessing service later.

The 17th Century sculptures once formed part of King James II's altarpiece at Whitehall palace and survived a palace fire and political upheaval, before being brought to St Andrew's in 1826.

The Reverend Cheryl Hawkins, Vicar of Burnham-on-Sea Benefice, said the anniversary has given the church an opportunity to bring the community together.

The angels originally formed part of an altarpiece commissioned by King James II for a chapel at Whitehall Palace.

Acclaimed English architect, Sir Christopher Wren, designed both the chapel and the altarpiece.

The carvings are thought to have been been completed around Christmas 1686, just two years before King James II was deposed.

Due to the association with the Catholic king, the altarpiece was dismantled and taken into storage, which proved fortunate as a few years later, most of Whitehall Palace was destroyed by fire.

The altarpiece spent around a century at Westminster Abbey before being removed again and the surviving pieces eventually being brought to Burnham-on-Sea.

To celebrate the anniversary, the church has held a series of events, including an angel-themed trail for families, children's events, a prayer installation and a project which has seen parishioners create scores of knitted angels.

Community groups and local schools are invited to take part in the main celebrations through angel-inspired artwork and music.

Hawkins said: "We hope it will encourage people to step inside our lovely church, perhaps for the first time, and discover all that the church has to offer.

"Its history and beautiful surroundings, our spaces for prayer and reflection, and to experience the warm welcome from the people who are part of St Andrew's Church community today."

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