Dowland Devon
Church of St Peter, Dowlland, Devon, founded by Walter de Clavil in 1132, possibly replacing an earlier wooden building .
It now consists of a nave, chancel, north aisle, south porch and west tower. Some Norman fabric remains in the nave , judging by south doorway.
The 3 stage crenellated tower with crocketted pinnacles, 2-light granite belfry openings & slits for stairs on north side. was added in 15c & the north aisle in early 16c - the date of the south porch is uncertain and it may have been restored.
The interior is most remarkable for its oak 3-bay arcade of which only one other exists in Devon (Nymet Rowland). It has partly restored 4-centred chamfered arches
One of the finest features here are the 16c carved bench ends depicting a number of motifs including the crossed keys of St Peter, the severed ear of Malchus, and the Stafford & Kellaway family crests. The pew nearest the pulpit dates to 1546 and shows the coats of arms of Robert Stafford and Elizabeth Menwenick, who were married in 1520. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/K11U6Gru9B - There are also many the Stafford gravestones
As there are no full stained glass windows, the interior light is impressive. . A lone 15c stained glass survivor is of the winged ox of St Luke in the south window, www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/0x239E8283 the rest believed to have been destroyed during the Civil War when Dowland lay between the battle sites of Torrington and Hatherleigh Moor in early 1646,
The medieval font stands on a 20c base.
There is no chancel arch and the tower arch is plain and pointed. The old wagon roofs with moulded ribs and carved bosses have been partly restored, however the chancel roof is plastered
There were 3 bells here in 1553, but the present ring of 5 are dated 1826 and the frame in which they swing was installed in 1886, they were then rehung again after restoration work in 1997.
All partially restored in 1876 and also during the recent lockdown
Derek Harper CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5798047
Dowland Devon
Church of St Peter, Dowlland, Devon, founded by Walter de Clavil in 1132, possibly replacing an earlier wooden building .
It now consists of a nave, chancel, north aisle, south porch and west tower. Some Norman fabric remains in the nave , judging by south doorway.
The 3 stage crenellated tower with crocketted pinnacles, 2-light granite belfry openings & slits for stairs on north side. was added in 15c & the north aisle in early 16c - the date of the south porch is uncertain and it may have been restored.
The interior is most remarkable for its oak 3-bay arcade of which only one other exists in Devon (Nymet Rowland). It has partly restored 4-centred chamfered arches
One of the finest features here are the 16c carved bench ends depicting a number of motifs including the crossed keys of St Peter, the severed ear of Malchus, and the Stafford & Kellaway family crests. The pew nearest the pulpit dates to 1546 and shows the coats of arms of Robert Stafford and Elizabeth Menwenick, who were married in 1520. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/K11U6Gru9B - There are also many the Stafford gravestones
As there are no full stained glass windows, the interior light is impressive. . A lone 15c stained glass survivor is of the winged ox of St Luke in the south window, www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/0x239E8283 the rest believed to have been destroyed during the Civil War when Dowland lay between the battle sites of Torrington and Hatherleigh Moor in early 1646,
The medieval font stands on a 20c base.
There is no chancel arch and the tower arch is plain and pointed. The old wagon roofs with moulded ribs and carved bosses have been partly restored, however the chancel roof is plastered
There were 3 bells here in 1553, but the present ring of 5 are dated 1826 and the frame in which they swing was installed in 1886, they were then rehung again after restoration work in 1997.
All partially restored in 1876 and also during the recent lockdown
Derek Harper CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5798047