Dunkeswell Devon
Church of St Nicholas, Dunkeswell Devon - the area was settled by the Saxons and a small community had grown up in the sheltered spot, certainly by 800AD. "Doduceswilla" is listed in the 1086 Doomesday Survey as having a population of at least 11 families of freemen and several slaves under their Lord. The population now is over 1600
The present church is at least the fourth on the site and was built between 1865 and 1869 funded by the Miss Simcoe of Wolford Lodge who together with their mother the widow of John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, also erected the nearby Dunkeswell Abbey chapel.in 1842 . .
It consists of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, south porch and west tower
Since its completion in 1869, the major change has been the replacement of the original tower which had been considerably and dangerously weakened by the vibration of the engines of the Dunkeswell based US Navy Liberators and Catalinas of Fleet Air Wing 7, from 1943-45. The tower had to be demolished urgently in 1947, and was not to be rebuilt for another 7 years, the bells being restored to the tower.in 1959
The Norman font is carved with intriguing figures including an elephant which possibly dates it after 1255 the first time this animal was known in England
The registers date: baptisms, 1750; marriages, 1743; burials, 1740.
New modernisation includes a kitchen, outside WC & and a loop system
Nick Chipchase CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4877948
Dunkeswell Devon
Church of St Nicholas, Dunkeswell Devon - the area was settled by the Saxons and a small community had grown up in the sheltered spot, certainly by 800AD. "Doduceswilla" is listed in the 1086 Doomesday Survey as having a population of at least 11 families of freemen and several slaves under their Lord. The population now is over 1600
The present church is at least the fourth on the site and was built between 1865 and 1869 funded by the Miss Simcoe of Wolford Lodge who together with their mother the widow of John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, also erected the nearby Dunkeswell Abbey chapel.in 1842 . .
It consists of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, south porch and west tower
Since its completion in 1869, the major change has been the replacement of the original tower which had been considerably and dangerously weakened by the vibration of the engines of the Dunkeswell based US Navy Liberators and Catalinas of Fleet Air Wing 7, from 1943-45. The tower had to be demolished urgently in 1947, and was not to be rebuilt for another 7 years, the bells being restored to the tower.in 1959
The Norman font is carved with intriguing figures including an elephant which possibly dates it after 1255 the first time this animal was known in England
The registers date: baptisms, 1750; marriages, 1743; burials, 1740.
New modernisation includes a kitchen, outside WC & and a loop system
Nick Chipchase CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4877948