Bishops travelled 10,000 miles for rededication of Patteson’s Cross

Supporters, donors and local school children gathered for the rededication of Patteson’s Cross, near Feniton, last week.

Supporters, donors and local school children gathered for the rededication of Patteson’s Cross on Thursday, February 9. Picture: Contributed - Credit: Archant

Special guests included the Right Reverend Leonard Dawea, Bishop of the Diocese of Temotu, and the Right Reverend Ellison Quity, Bishop of the Diocese of Ysabel in the Solomon Islands, and Lord William Coleridge, a distant relative of Bishop John Coleridge Patteson.

Bishop Leonard said: “It is a great honour to be here in Devon today for the rededication of the memorial to Bishop John Coleridge Patteson, the first Anglican Bishop of Melanesia.

“Bishop Patteson is very important to the people of Melanesia, and we give thanks for his ministry and for bringing the people of Devon and the people of Melanesia closer together.”

The prominent East Devon landmark was rededicated by the Anglican bishops, who travelled more than 10,000 miles to pay their respects.

Refurbishment of the monument was completed in Septemebr 2016, with the fundraising campaign raising the £5,000 required to do the work.