St Bridget's Church in Bridestowe, Devon, is a parish church in the Church of England and one of the central buildings in the rural area on the northwestern edge of Dartmoor. It is a Grade II* listed building of medieval construction with restorations made in the 19th century.[1][2]
| St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe | |
|---|---|
 St Bridget's Church, viewed from the churchyard | |
  St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe | |
| 50°41′08″N 4°06′20″W / 50.685426°N 4.105569°W | |
| OS grid reference | SX 51353 89430 |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Central churchmanship |
| Website | www.northmoorteam.org.uk/bridestowe-st-bridgets |
| History | |
| Status | Operational |
| Founded | 13th & 15th century |
| Dedication | Saint Bridget |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 150 seats |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Materials | Granite |
| Bells | 6 |
| Administration | |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Exeter |
| Archdeaconry | Totnes |
| Parish | Bridestowe |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar(s) | Revd Adrian Brook |
Building
editThe church is mostly 13th and 15th century, with a west tower and some fragments of Norman work as well as Early English and Perpendicular styles.[3] It is dedicated to the Irish Saint Bride or Bridget, who is depicted in one of the stained glass windows, and from whom the name of the surrounding village is derived.[4] The church's distinctive gateway is described in White's Directories as "a fine Norman arch supposed to be the remains of the original church".[5] Restorations were carried out in circa 1820, 1866, and 1890.[6]
Memorials
editOn the north wall of the chancel is a 1665 memorial of 1665 to Lady Honor Fortescue Calmady, wife of Sir Shilston Calmady and mother of Josias Calmady.[7][8] The churchyard contains the grave of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wollocombe (1814).[9]
Current day
editRegular services are only held on Sunday mornings.[10] A local flower festival is periodically held at the church.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Church of St Bridget". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Bridestowe: St Bridget". Church of England. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ Pevsner, N. (1952) South Devon. Penguin Books; p. 62
- ^ Watts, Victor (2010). The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-names (1st paperback ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-521-16855-7.
- ^ White, William (1878). History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Devon including the City of Exeter (2nd ed.). Sheffield.
- ^ Cresswell, Beatrix (1906). Notes on Devon Churches in the Deanery of Okehampton.
- ^ "1 Jonathan Prideaux, of Thuborough, Devon, esq, and son 2 Sir Shilston Calmady, kt". The National Archives (United Kingdom). Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "CHURCH OF ST BRIDGET". Historic England. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ Lysons, Daniel; Lysons, Samuel. "Parishes: Bridestowe – Butterleigh". Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822): 69–92. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Bridestowe - St Bridget's". Northmoor Team Ministry. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Fabulous flower festival at St Bridget's Church in Bridestowe". Okehampton Times. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.