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Churches of the British Isles

Gallery: Churches of Devon

by Peter Kessler, 12 October 2024

East Devon Part 5: Churches of Broadclyst to Rockbeare

St John the Evangelist, Broadclyst, East Devon, Devon

St John the Evangelist, Broadclyst, sits towards the north-west of the Church Lane and Church Close side roads, at the north-west corner of the village. It is notable for its tower of the 1500s which is considered the model for Cullompton's church (see links). Consisting of dressed volcanic trap, it consists of a nave, chancel north and south aisles, south porch, and west tower. It was built under Bishop Stafford (1395-1419), but the tower was completed under Henry VII.

St John the Evangelist, Broadclyst, East Devon, Devon

The nave has six bays, with arches emerging from carved heads and figures of angels holding shields. The churchyard has a medieval preaching cross which survives relatively complete. Local tradition has the cross head being discovered in a farmyard and restored to its place atop the shaft in the early nineteenth century. The church was substantially restored in 1833-1834 by Wills, which included new roofs throughout, and again in 1882 by Edward Ashworth.

Broadclyst Reading Room, Broadclyst, East Devon, Devon

The former Broadclyst Reading Room is the larger building seen here, on the southern side of Church Lane, just twenty-five metres to the west of the main road junction (B3181) and within sight (hedges permitting) of the parish church (see below). The reading room is shown as such on the OS 25-inch map of 1892-1914, with the single-storey buildings alongside being an almshouse which was founded in 1605 for twelve old people. These were largely rebuilt in 1833.

Broadclyst Baptist Church, Broadclyst, East Devon, Devon

Broadclyst Baptist Church sits on the north side of the connecting road between the B3181 and Old Coach Road, at the southern edge of Broadclyst and fifteen metres east of the Slaparse Lane connecting road. The chapel was founded in or before 1888. It is shown on the OS 25-inch map of 1892-1914 as being in the 'Black Dog' area of the village, today labelled as 'Dog Village'. It seems likely that the chapel has been closed for worship and converted into private apartments.

Cranbrook Cornerstone Church (St Martin's School), Cranbrook, East Devon, Devon

Cranbrook Cornerstone Church today meets in St Martin's School in Cranbrook, on the eastern side of Younghayes Road, between Mead Cross and Copseclose Lane. Its reverend in 2020 came from the United Reformed Church, most recently working in Torbay. Cornerstone is part of an ecumenical project which is funded by the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, and Church of England, designed to be a more integral part of the local community.

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rockbeare, East Devon, Devon

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rockbeare, otherwise St Mary with St Andrew Church, is on the south flank of Rockbeare Court Farm and the London Road, and at the top end of the Rockbeare main lane. Construction is in late 1400s red stone in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch, and a western tower with four pinnacles and five bells. It was heavily restored in 1888, with a lengthened nave, rebuilt chancel, and a new vestry.

Photos on this page kindly contributed by Alison Day via the 'History Files: Churches of the British Isles' Flickr group, and by Cranbrook Cornerstone Church, and one photo copyright © Liz Moon via Geograph, reused under a cc licence.

 

 

     
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