The Reredos
Situated behind the present High Altar, commemorates a Paigntonian,
Samuel Chapin, baptised (1598) and married (1624) in this church. He
emigrated to America in 1638 and helped to found the city of
Springfield (Massachusetts), collaborating in this venture with John
Pynchon of Springfield (now a suburb of Chelmsford), whose birthplace
is recalled in the city's name. The Chapins are a distinguished
American family, and a statue by the famous Sculptor (picture right)
St. Gauden, of Paignton born Samuel known as "The Puritan" is in
Springfield's municipal park. This link with America was discovered in
1913 as a result of a search by his descendants for their ancestor's
birthplace. A group of them gave the reredos in 1927. His descendants
include four Presidents of the U.S.A.
