Diptford Devon
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Diptford Devon is a medieval structure originally comprising of a nave, chancel & west tower, the first rector was appointed in 1226, with the 19 year old monarch Henry III as patron.
Whilst the church has its origins in the 13c it was markedly altered in the subsequent 14c by major rebuilding - In 1336 Bishop Grandisson dedicated the high altar which suggests the chancel had been rebuilt .
The result is a mixture of conflicting dating evidence as the rebuilding added new and reused old fabric in their construction. Several parts of the church show styles conflicting between Early English Gothic & Decorated within the same piece adding to the confusion. Such is the mixed evidence that Pevsner declines to date the church, merely describing its main features. English Heritage indicate that a basic nave, chancel & small western tower from the 13c were enhanced in the 14c by the addition of the broach spire to the tower and in the 15c of the aisles. ( the arcades with their octagonal piers and 2-centred arches however seem to be earlier and perhaps part of the early 14c rebuilding)
At least 3 campaigns of Victorian restoration also add to the mix, that of 1840 adding the vestry on the south side of the west tower in the angle with the north aisle.
However in 1848 the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society describes it as "an interesting Decorated church in a state of dilapidation - chancel is destroyed and there is an unsightly vestry on the north west".
Further work occurred in both 1870 & 1908 when the north aisle is said to have been reroofed / repaired and the north wall of the chancel demolished to may room for the organ chamber. .
The 6 bells in the tower were recast in 1822. The clock of 1886 by Gillett and Co of Croydon
The south porch has a sundial inscribed: ":P.W. 1694. T.K.U.
As time and hours passeth away, So doth the life of man decay."
The registers date from 1653.
Derek Harper CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/187418
Diptford Devon
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Diptford Devon is a medieval structure originally comprising of a nave, chancel & west tower, the first rector was appointed in 1226, with the 19 year old monarch Henry III as patron.
Whilst the church has its origins in the 13c it was markedly altered in the subsequent 14c by major rebuilding - In 1336 Bishop Grandisson dedicated the high altar which suggests the chancel had been rebuilt .
The result is a mixture of conflicting dating evidence as the rebuilding added new and reused old fabric in their construction. Several parts of the church show styles conflicting between Early English Gothic & Decorated within the same piece adding to the confusion. Such is the mixed evidence that Pevsner declines to date the church, merely describing its main features. English Heritage indicate that a basic nave, chancel & small western tower from the 13c were enhanced in the 14c by the addition of the broach spire to the tower and in the 15c of the aisles. ( the arcades with their octagonal piers and 2-centred arches however seem to be earlier and perhaps part of the early 14c rebuilding)
At least 3 campaigns of Victorian restoration also add to the mix, that of 1840 adding the vestry on the south side of the west tower in the angle with the north aisle.
However in 1848 the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society describes it as "an interesting Decorated church in a state of dilapidation - chancel is destroyed and there is an unsightly vestry on the north west".
Further work occurred in both 1870 & 1908 when the north aisle is said to have been reroofed / repaired and the north wall of the chancel demolished to may room for the organ chamber. .
The 6 bells in the tower were recast in 1822. The clock of 1886 by Gillett and Co of Croydon
The south porch has a sundial inscribed: ":P.W. 1694. T.K.U.
As time and hours passeth away, So doth the life of man decay."
The registers date from 1653.
Derek Harper CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/187418