Description

CHULMLEIGH CHELDON
SS 71 SW
6/30 Church of St. Mary
GV II*
Small parish church. C15 fabric to nave, chancel and probably west tower,
extensively restored, refenestrated and upper section of tower probably rebuilt and
chancel refaced in C19. Unrendered stone rubble, nave rendered. Slate roof to
chancel, asbestos slate roof to nave. Coped parapets with apex crosses.
Plan: west tower, nave, chancel and south porch.
Exterior: squat west tower of 2 stages, the upper stage apparently rebuilt in C19
with high embattled parapets and small square bell-openings to each face. Set back
buttresses. Massive relieving arch above small 2 light C19 window at west end.
Blocked doorway with plain slightly cambered stone lintel. C19 south porch has
gabled slate roof. Unmoulded virtually semi-circular arched doorway with segmental
arched inner doorway. C19 Perpendicular style 3 light window to each side of nave
and to east end.
Interior: C15 or early C16 wagon roof to chancel with crenellated wall-plate with
floriated decoration at intervals, moulded ribs, the central rib with human head
bosses to the base; large bosses at the intersections. C19 wagon roof to nave.
C15/early C16 chancel arch with ogee flanking hollow moulded surround. Late C17 or
early C18 communion rails with barley sugar balusters and pulpit with raised and
fielded panelled sides to the polygonal drum. Stone flag floors with some very worn
late medieval patterned tiles. Unusual chancel "screen" has on each side a C19
timber base, with narrow C18 headrail with small turned balusters surmounted by
elaborate and delicate wrought iron open traceried panels, possibly reused from
family chest tombs. Left side is dated 1743, right side 1737. Both panels are of 3
bays, left side flanked by fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals surmounted by
Classical torches; on the right side these are placed over the 2 outer bays. Both
panels have central heraldic shields with elaborate scrollwork to the overthrows.
Bench ends in late C15/early C16 style with elaborate Perpendicular and foliated
tracery. Font has elongated lead-lined octagonal bowl on a short stem and square
base.
Monuments: Nave north side. Timber board with painted verse Phil.IV.v.6. Early C18
wall monument with inscription to William Webber. Oval medallion in rectangular
moulded surround, skull to base, angels to head. Small wall tablet on south side
with inscription to Mary Cornwall and Mrs Elston 'concerning whose decease the Reader
is referr'd to ye adjoyning monument'. This has Corinthian pilasters flanking oval
medallion with inscriptions to the above and other members of the finials. C18.
Over south doorway are 2 plaster medallions with busts in relief.

Listing NGR: SS7342613400

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17532883

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover