Burnham-On-Sea’s St Andrew’s Church held a special service on Sunday evening (September 27th) as part of its ongoing ‘Year of the Angels’ celebrations, marking 200 years since the arrival of the historic Grinling Gibbons Angels in the town.
The service was attended by almost 200 people and led by Rev Cheryl Hawkins and Rev Sharon Eldergill with the Venerable Jonathan Lloyd, Acting Archdeacon of Wells.
The choir from St Andrew’s School sang a special angels-themed song specially written for the occasion by Year 5 Class Teacher Mrs Imogen Bunning.
Several pupils also read readings during the service which included readings by Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Cllr Mike Facey and several residents.
Angel-themed artwork created by pupils from Burnham Infants School and St Andrew’s School also added colour to the church, alongside almost 70 knitted angels created by Marilyn Curry.
The St Andrew’s church choir, led by organist Derek Jones, also performed several songs throughout the evening alongside hymns sung by the congregation.
Angel-themed refreshments were served afterwards, offering visitors the chance to take a closer look at the intricately carved Angel sculptures that have become part of Burnham’s heritage.
The Grinling Gibbons Angels have been admired in St Andrew’s since 1826. Sculpted in 1686 by master woodcarvers Grinling Gibbons and Arnold Quellin, the angels were originally commissioned by King James II for Whitehall Palace.
They were later moved to Westminster Abbey before the Bishop of Rochester — who also served as Burnham’s vicar in 1820 — acquired parts of the fragmented Whitehall altarpiece and brought them to St Andrew’s to decorate the chancel.
Today, the two large flanking angels stand on pedestals beneath the church’s distinctive leaning tower, with several smaller cherubs arranged along the North aisle, drawing visitors from far and wide.
The St Andrew’s service are part of a year‑long celebration, offering the community a chance to reflect on the remarkable journey of the Angels and their place in Burnham’s story. A shop windows trail is also underway.
