About Us

St Mary's, Cofton is a small, attractive listed building nestled in one corner of the parish of Cofton. This parish includes the village of Cockwood, half a mile down the lane, the hamlet of Eastdon, and Dawlish Warren with its holiday parks and new developments.

The friendly congregation is drawn from across the parish. The former farming hamlet of Cofton, in which the church itself is set, is now the site of the award winning Cofton Country Holidays, which is very supportive towards the life of the Church. This ensures that the Holiday Park Overflow car park, next to the Church, is available for our use at times of services etc.

Our worship is open and welcoming, using Common Worship and a mix of traditional and more modern music, usually sung to the organ. Members of the congregation share in the readings and intercessions during the services.

All are welcome to worship with us, regardless of church tradition.

At St Mary's Cofton during the summer we welcome many holiday makers from the Holiday Park. All ages are given a very warm welcome although sadly Covid regs currently mean that the toys and books for children have had to be removed. During the summer we have also opened our Church one day a week in order that anyone can look around and perhaps have a cup of coffee or tea, a chat or just to sit and feel the peaceful quietness in a very busy life.

As part of the Dawlish Coast Benefice, we welcome the opportunities that brings, and during Lockdown members of the church have joined with others from the other churches on Zoom Morning Prayer, prayer meetings, study groups and coffee times as well as the Benefice telephone service. Many members also appreciate the online You Tube service edited by another of the Benefice churches.

The new churchyard is still open for burials and serves the local community in this way. Between the old and new churchyards is a small, pretty area of land, which since the summer of 2020 has been turned into a Prayer Garden. Anyone, parish resident or visitor, is welcome to place a stone or other natural/biodegradable object here as a symbol of a prayer. You will also find prayer resources in the Lychgate. This is offered as a place of quiet reflection and prayer, however that is understood, and is much appreciated by those who use it.