Churches of the British Isles

Based on its position away from the main village, the church may originally have been a manorial chapel. It was extensively rebuilt in 1859-1860 by Edward Ashworth, although many of the older features were retained and the tower and porch were largely untouched. This work made use of snecked grey limestone with volcanic quoins and Bathstone details, and also provided a red tile roof. The porch front has a chequered effect of Beerstone and volcanic ashlar.

The main body consists of a nave, lower chancel, and south porch, plus three-stage west tower with diagonal buttresses, and an embattled parapet with corner pinnacles and gargoyles. The semi-hexagonal stair turret on the south side rises higher than the tower, surmounted by a wrought iron weather vane. Neither north aisle nor south aisle is full-length. The vestry occupies space to the north of the chancel. The north aisle was a new-build in 1859-1860.

The former Talaton Church House is at the north-west corner of the Old Church School building on the path to the parish church, around fifty metres to the south of the church itself. Seemingly eighteenth century in construction, it is possible that older remains are not mentioned and a structure must have existed here by the fifteenth century at the latest. Every Devon parish once had a church house where people met for church ales. Now the building is known as Church Cottage.

East Devon Crematorium, Strete Ralegh, is on the southern side of the London Road, opposite Apple Blossom Day Nursery. The facility is non-denominational and can therefore accommodate all faiths as well as non-religious services. This in 2025 was one of the South West's newest such facilities, set in beautiful rural surroundings just off the A30 Daisymount junction. The modern building contains a single chapel which seats ninety-five people, with room for expansion.

Whimple Congregational Chapel stands on the west side of Church Road, about sixty metres south of The Square in Whimple. The chapel was built in 1862, initially referencing itself as Independent. Historical trade directories from the late 1870s formally record the active Independent chapel alongside the village's national schools and parish church. It was still operational in the immediate post-war years but closed in 1973, and was later converted into a private residence.

Photos on this page kindly contributed by Keltek Trust, Alison Day, Janelle Zauha (two), Philip Watson, and Joseph Rogers, all via the 'History Files: Churches of the British Isles' Flickr group.