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East Down / Eastdown Devon

Church of St John the Baptist , East Down / Eastdown Devon

dating from the 13c, was first recorded in 1260 and was begun as the local manorial chapel

It was extensively remodelled in late 15c after it became a parish church by gift in 1469 when the south aisle was added.

 

Built in Perpendicular style, it now consists of a chancel with aisle, nave, south aisle, south porch and a low embattled tower.

The tower is the oldest part of the building, and is situated in the position of a north transept with access from nave by a 13c pointed arch. 13c fabric survives with lancets in the base and the chancel south wall between east end and termination of south aisle. There is also a blocked 13c opening on nave north wall. The tower bears a 'bullet' hole from a skirmish during the 17c Civil War and a small 1671 datestone on first stage of east wall may indicate repairs and alterations after this . It has 4 bells: the first three are dated respectively 1669, 1712, and 1830; the 3rd bears an indistinct legend in Lombardic characters:

 

The rood screen is of particular note, a fine example of late 15c / early 16c craftsmanship which was carefully restored in 1925.

 

Refenestration and major restoration / rebuilding occurred in 1886-7 on all but the tower at a cost of £1,500: The nave pews are also of this date. there are 180 sittings. .The parish register dates from the year 1538.

 

The nave and chancel south arcade has 5 continuous bays with perpendicular flat pointed arches supported on piers One capital is carved with figures, perhaps of a sporting scene, the rest are standard foliage. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/F3f8g347Q7

 

The heavily restored uncoiled waggon roofs to south aisle, nave and chancel incorporate reused timbers and have plain chamfered ribs.

The south aisle has a plain piscina and a squint at eastern end of arcade.

The marble font and font cover sits on richly carved late 16c columns www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/b5M8ey83qH

There is a badly damaged Royal arms on the west wall of tower.

Edward Pine 1663 'Sometimes Lieutenant-Colonel of Sir Hugh Pollard in the late unhappie warrs' looks down with wife Bridget Fry 1668 in the south chapel flic.kr/p/w4m6mB

 

At west end a table top tomb to Richard and Walter Hey died 1594 and 1629.

 

Within the churchyard is a rare example of a church house, dating from the same period as the church itself. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/09w8q6Z2rY

 

© Copyright Maigheach-gheal CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/729092

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Uploaded on September 24, 2024