St Winifred's Church, Branscombe, Devon
Saint Winifred's Church in Branscombe in East Devon is among the oldest and most architecturally significant parish churches of Devon. It probably dates back as far as about 995, but records of the vicars only go back to the thirteenth century. The tower is the oldest part and the base could be Saxon while the main part is early 12th century Norman, as is most of the nave.
The church is built on a levelled area that can not be seen from the coast, and this may have been for protection of the original Saxon church from Viking raiders. Alternatively, the church may have been placed on an earlier pre-Christian holy site. Occupying such a pagan site would have allowed the Church to both challenge paganism and benefit from any positive religious feelings associated with the site.
The Grade I-listed building is considered by Simon Jenkins to be among England's Thousand Best Churches.
St Winifred's Church, Branscombe, Devon
Saint Winifred's Church in Branscombe in East Devon is among the oldest and most architecturally significant parish churches of Devon. It probably dates back as far as about 995, but records of the vicars only go back to the thirteenth century. The tower is the oldest part and the base could be Saxon while the main part is early 12th century Norman, as is most of the nave.
The church is built on a levelled area that can not be seen from the coast, and this may have been for protection of the original Saxon church from Viking raiders. Alternatively, the church may have been placed on an earlier pre-Christian holy site. Occupying such a pagan site would have allowed the Church to both challenge paganism and benefit from any positive religious feelings associated with the site.
The Grade I-listed building is considered by Simon Jenkins to be among England's Thousand Best Churches.