St Andrew's, Yarnscombe, Devon
Parish Church of St Andrew's, Yarnscombe
St Andrew's, Yarnscombe, Devon
Parish Church of St Andrew's, Yarnscombe |
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St Andrew's, Yarnscombe is a Grade II* parish church. The nave, chancel and transeptal north tower probably date from the 13th century, while the south aisle and porch are 15th century. The position of the tower is unusual for Devon. A vestry was added in 1846, and major restoration work took place in 1889. An account of the restoration was published in the North Devon Journal. |
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A fragment of 15th century medieval stained glass, which include armorial bearings and a winged figure, is set into the east window of the south aisle. |
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The stained glass of the east window commemorates three members of the Loveband family. The inscription reads: MA Born June 7 1821 Died Aug 25 1878 and of Phillis Jane his Wife Born Dec 27 1824 Died April 6 1903 and of Anthony William their son Born Feb 14 1852 Died 6 May 1867 |
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The 15th century font is octangonal in shape and retains its old lead lining. Four of the eight faces are carved with trefoils and quatrefoils |
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A few 16th century Barnstaple relief tiles survive at the east end of aisle. Designs include the fleur-de-lys and a Tudor rose. |
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On the north wall of the chancel is a tomb recess with a damaged slab of Purbeck marble dating from the 15th century. According to William Rogers'sThe Ancient Sepulcharal Effigies and Monumental and Memorial Sculpture of Devon, published in 1877, the inscription reads:
Hic Jacet Johes Cokworthie quondam ____ Regis |
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A mural monument on the north wall of the chancel commemorates John Pollard and his wife Sarah. The Latin inscription is partially eroded but a translation of the text appears in A.H.W. Kennard's Yarnscombe:
The Sepulchral Monument of John Pollard of Langley, Esquire, a most honourable man, distinguished by both birth and attainments, who died on November 12th 1667 aged 59 : whose loving wife Sarah, grieving in her widowhood like a turtle dove and being about to follow him, meanwhile set up at her own expense this monument.The Pollard family lived at Langley Barton from 1303 to 1732. John Pollard, son of Richard Pollard (? -1659) and Joan Philip, was baptised on 13 Mar 1607/8 at High Bickington, and was buried at Yarnscombe on 16 Nov 1667. Sarah survived John by almost ten years and died in St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, Middlesex on 24 Oct 1677. She was buried at Yarnscombe a few weeks later on 17 Nov 1677. |
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This badly eroded monument in the south aisle bears a Latin inscription, a date of 1623, and the Fortescue arms. The momument commemorates Anthony Trevelyan (1572-1623) son of Hugh Trevelyan and Elizabeth Pollard. Anthony married Cicilly Fortescue (1576-1609), daughter of Hugh Fortescue (1541-1600) and Elizabeth Chichester (1545-1630) |
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The oak parish chest with iron banding dates from the 13th century. |
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The sundial above the door to the south porch dates from 1788. The inscription at the bottom reads:A. Loveband, G. Chick, C. Wardens, H. Berry fecit. |
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This 17th century chest tomb stands south of the chancel. The granite top shows traces of a carved border, however, any inscription the tomb may have had is now illegible. |
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The Yarnscombe Methodist Church was built in 1908 replacing a wood building built in 1861. The original building was a Bible Christian chapel described by the North Devon Journal as "a wooded structure, built upon six wheels, the object of which is to prevent its becoming the property of the owner of the soil on the expiration of the lease on which it is granted to the present lessee." Shortly after the foundation stones for the new church were laid, the Bible Christian Church in England merged with other Methodist
denominations to form the United Methodist Church. The Yarnscombe United Methodist Church closed in 1993, and the building was converted to a private residence.
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This plaque on the north wall of the nave commemorates the three who died and the 22 who served during the First World War.
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