Countisbury Devon
Church of St John the Evangelist, Countisbury Devon
The early manor belonged to the abbot and convent of Ford.
The nave was rebuilt on the site of a previous church in 1796 with the south porch following soon after. There was further remodeling / refurbishment in 19c .
In 1832 the old chancel and tower still survived. Rev. Walter Stevenson Halliday began his house at Glenthorne nearby in 1829, and carried out much work on the estate.
The tower south-east pinnacle base is inscribed: "RVD WS /HALLIDAY / 1836", south-west pinnacle inscribed: "RVD W S /H / 1836" and north-west pinnacle inscribed: "W R / BUILDR".
suggesting the top stage was added at that date.
Rev Walter Stevenson Halliday also financed the rebuilding of the chancel & vestry & north aisle additions in 1846
According to the Exmoor Review Rev Halliday at that time purchased the c1700 chancel screen www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/SL6HuUbBiN from Chittlehampton church and also probably the late 15c bench end with carved chained swan www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/34t4259D88
It now consists of a 3-bay nave with north aisle and south porch, chancel with lean-to north vestry, and unbuttressed 3 stage west tower.
On 1 April 2013 the parish was abolished and merged with Brendon to form "Brendon and Countisbury".
Scholars now believe the Iron Age promontory fort of Wind Hill on Countisbury Hill was the site of the Battle of Cynuit in 878.
Roger A Smith CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5325469
Countisbury Devon
Church of St John the Evangelist, Countisbury Devon
The early manor belonged to the abbot and convent of Ford.
The nave was rebuilt on the site of a previous church in 1796 with the south porch following soon after. There was further remodeling / refurbishment in 19c .
In 1832 the old chancel and tower still survived. Rev. Walter Stevenson Halliday began his house at Glenthorne nearby in 1829, and carried out much work on the estate.
The tower south-east pinnacle base is inscribed: "RVD WS /HALLIDAY / 1836", south-west pinnacle inscribed: "RVD W S /H / 1836" and north-west pinnacle inscribed: "W R / BUILDR".
suggesting the top stage was added at that date.
Rev Walter Stevenson Halliday also financed the rebuilding of the chancel & vestry & north aisle additions in 1846
According to the Exmoor Review Rev Halliday at that time purchased the c1700 chancel screen www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/SL6HuUbBiN from Chittlehampton church and also probably the late 15c bench end with carved chained swan www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/34t4259D88
It now consists of a 3-bay nave with north aisle and south porch, chancel with lean-to north vestry, and unbuttressed 3 stage west tower.
On 1 April 2013 the parish was abolished and merged with Brendon to form "Brendon and Countisbury".
Scholars now believe the Iron Age promontory fort of Wind Hill on Countisbury Hill was the site of the Battle of Cynuit in 878.
Roger A Smith CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5325469