Church of St. Mary The Virgin. Small part may be late C13 - early C14, mostly rebuilt
in the C15 (possibly by Thomas Courtenay who was patron of the benefice in 1453),
north aisle added in the C16; renovated circa 1945 by Herbert Read. The oldest section,
west end of south wall of nave, is granite stone rubble; the rest is large coursed
blocks of granite ashlar; granite ashlar detail, most of it original; slate roof.
Plan: Nave with lower and narrower chancel. South doorway with C15 south porch and
contemporary rood stair turret at the break between nave and chancel on the south
side; C15 west tower with internal stair turret. C16 north aisle overlaps chancel
but is not full length. Exterior: Tall west tower of 3 stages with embattled parapet,
set back buttresses and corner pinnacles. 2-light belfry windows and west side has
a 4-centred arch doorway and a 3-light window above containing Perpendicular tracery.
The south side of the nave at the west end (left of the porch) contains a small twin
lancet window, pointed heads with sunken spandrels and shallow hoodmould. The gabled
porch has set back buttresses and a 2-centred outer arch with moulded surround and
carved spandrels, the right one containing the initials TC crudely carved. Above
it a good brass sundial dated 1663 was put there in 1913. The rest of the church,
including the aisle, is granite ashlar with a moulded plinth. To right of the porch
a tall late C16-early C17 3-light mullioned window. The semi-octagonal rood turret
displays a carved foliate cornice and has the remains of an embattled parapet. Chancel
has set back buttresses and gable apex cross. The original C15 windows have Perpendicular
tracery and hoodmoulds, the east window with carved labels, but one of south windows
replaced by another late C16-early C17 mullioned window. South side has unusually
ornate priests doorway. Doorway itself is a 2-centred arch and is small and narrow
with a moulded surround. However, in front of this, the frame breaks forward from
the wall and the surround here is carved with stylized ferns and has deeply cut carved
foliate spandrels. C16 north aisle has set back buttresses and the 4 windows of the
north side are separated by buttresses. These and another in east end are 3 lights
with segmental heads and hoodmoulds, outer lights only have pointed heads. Good interior:
South door a 2-centred arch retooled in C19 and contains ancient studded plank door
with coverstrips and oak lock. The porch and nave have restored but essentially original
C15 ceiled wagon roofs with moulded purlins and ribs and carved oak bosses and north
aisle has a similar wagon roof but is C16 and most bosses are replacements. Chancel
has a more ornate version with carved ribs and purlins. The crestwork between nave
and chancel is C19. Tall plain 2-centred tower arch. 4-bay granite arcade; 1 overlapping
the chancel. Moulded piers (Pevsners Type A) with plain caps and low moulded arches.
Mostly plastered walls and east window has moulded inner arch on vaulting shafts.
Floor is mostly C20 slate and parquee but chancel floor includes a good group of
C17 and early C18 graveslabs and more have been reset in the tower. Also there are
a couple of probably C17 glazed tiles. Rood stair has flat-topped doorway with moulded
surround. Easter Sepulchre in chancel is unique. At the base is a niche under a depressed
arch carved with coarse scroll enrichment between panelled buttresses. Above it is
thought there was a carved board. Sanctuary is result of C20 modernisation. Low oak
chancel screen is C20 based on wainscotted section of the original which was dated
1544 and it incorportes small sections of the original. C20 rood beam with carved
figures. Stalls, lectern and benches are C20 and timber. One bench may be C16 and
other bench ends have earlier pieces worked in. Oak drum pulpit made up from carved
pieces of C16 craftmanship. Granite font is C15; plain octagonal bowl with moulded
stem and plinth and has C19 or C20 oak cover. Tower screen and other furniture is
C20 except for a C17 oak chest. No memorials. East window stained glass by Comper
and east window of nave is by Bell of Bristol. This is a good moorland church with
some unusually good C15 and C16 detail. Sources. Church Guide. Devon SMR
