Description

COOKBURY COOKBURY SS 40 NW

6/36 Church of St John the Baptist and the Seven Maccabees 14.2.58

GV II*

Parish church. Norman origins remodelled in C14, probably circa 1315 when dedicated by Bishop Stapledon, with C16 addition. Stone rubble walls. Gable-ended asbestos slate roof. Plan: the church undoubtedly preserves Norman fabric but the dedication date of 1315 suggests it was extensively remodelledthen. It was originally cruciform - consecrated with 3 altars - and the only alteration to this plan was the addition of a nortn aisle probably in the early C16. The west tower is of an early form and, with the south porch may also date from the early C14. A puzzling feature at the west end however is the way the narrow tower has a small addition to north and south both of which are closed towards the nave - almost resembling a dwarfed west transept. The church has escaped extensive C19 restoration. Exterior: very low narrow unbuttressed west tower with pyramidal roof. It is almost enveloped to north and south by extensions to the nave. No west doorway. C15 2- light west window with 4-centred heads and hoodmould. Tall 4-centred lancet of circa 1300 on north side of nave towards west end. The north aisle does not extend as far as the west end. It has a 3-light straight-headed granite mullion window in its west wall and 2 on its north face. Granite north doorway with a very depressed 4-centred head and roll and fillet mouldings, recessed spandrels and hoodmould. 2- light mullion window at east end of aisle. Very small C19 lean-to vestry against end of aisle with single chamfered light and shallow arched doorway. Chancel has tall lancet with 4-centred head on north wall. East window is circa 1300, 3-light with trefoiled heads; 2 more lancet lights on south wall of chancel - that to the east has a square head and has probably been altered. South transept has C15 2- light trefoiled-head window on its east side. Probably restored C15 style 2-light window to south. South wall of nave has 2 4-centred head lancets to either side of C14 gabled porch with coping stones and pointed arch chamfered doorway. Interior: porch roof has been restored. C14 south doorway, chamfered with 2- centred arch. Internal walls have C20 plaster apart from transept and west wall where the stonework is exposed. 3 bay north arcade of which the two westward arches are Perpendicular with Pevsner A-type piers, moulded capitals and 4-centred arches. The easternmost arcn is C14 and was the former north transept arch - it is very pointed with different moulding and a semi-hexagonal respond to the east against the wall. No chancel arch. South transept has pointed rubble arch with hagioscope. Tall 4-centred dressed stone tower arch. Windows to nave and chancel have pointed chamfered rear arches. Over the nave, chancel and transept the roofs has been renewed in late C19 or early C20 with arch-braced form. Over the north aisle is an older arch-braced roof probably C16. The altar and lectern probably incorporate parts of the carved rood screen which has been replaced by a late C19 or early C20 one. The pulpit incorporates C17 carving to panels which appear to have been reused. The old benches survive which in the nave and aisle are plain apart from one at the rear which has a carved end. In the transept one bench has worn carved ends with a panelled and richly carved front with arcading and Renaissance designs - apparently this was known as the Dursland pew. Square C13 font with moulding around the bottom standing on renewed central stem with 4 outer pillars on original square moulded base. The chancel floor consists of medieval Barnstaple tiles. Although this is a fairly simple church its importance lies in its early date and relatively unaltered state.

Listing NGR: SS4070806044

External Links

• Wikidata Q17536534

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Recommended Books

• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)