St Michael
Gittisham
Devon
Possibly C14 origins, south aisle added by Sir Humphrey Beaumont , repaired by the Beaumont family in the 1660s (Hussey), C18 refurbishment, including box pews and a west gallery, chancel restored in the 1860s under the direction of the Reverend R. Kirwan Unusual in the Diocese in retaining a nave and nave fittings which predate the Gothic Revival and give the exterior the slightly haphazard quality of an unrestored church.
Architectural Features
Plan: Nave, chancel, 4 bay south arcade with one bay to the chancel, the east end of the aisle projecting beyond the chancel and filled with monuments of the squires of Combe
C17 decorated lead gutter and rainwater head at the east end, the rainwater head with the Beaumont arms probably dating from the late C17 repairs to the aisle, the baluster pinnacle on the gable probably co-eval.
a deeply- moulded, possibly C14 inner doorway
Ceiled wagon roofs with carved bosses and moulded ribs
4-bay arcade with corner shafts to the piers, foliage-carved capitals and shallow moulded arches.
C19 or early C20 timber drum pulpit with blind traceried panels and a heavily-carved cornice.
C15 octagonal font with quatrefoils carved on the bowl.
SY1398 : Gittisham, St. Michael's Church: The font
The chancel has good C19 floor tiles and a communion rail with painted standards decorated with leaves.
Monuments: An important collection.
The most impressive is in the south chancel aisle, commemorating Thomas Putt, died 1686, the squire who had carried out extensive improvements at Combe (q.v.), Black, grey and white marble: a large tomb chest with marble steps, set in a round headed recess with a ribbed soffit and a rusticated arch.
On the south wall a late C17 wall tablet in a moulded frame commemorating John Fiennes Esq., died 1671, with a Latin verse.
Next west is a Greek Revival style while marble wall monument to Reymundo Putt, died 1812.
The inscription tablet is surrounded by mantling and framed by Corinthian columns with a skeleton, angel and armorial bearings above.
The inscription includes a verse and original colour survives on the monument.
On the north wall a monument to the Reverend Thomas Putt, died 1844, in a crested stone frame.
On the south wall of the aisle late C19 and one late C18 monument.
Royal Arms over the door in a nowy-headed frame.
These are described in detail by W.H. Wilkin, 'The Putt Hatchments at Gittisham', Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries, vol. 19 , p.
Stained Glass East window probably designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, memorial date of 1854.
The north window in the chancel contains C16
C17 Flemish fragments and roundels with early C19 coloured glass and late C19 borders.
The east window of the aisle contains C17 and C20 armorial bearings.
The south aisle has 2 C19 windows (1870s, memorial dates) commemorating members of the Marker family.
An exceptionally interesting church retaining a largely C18 character in the nave and with a number of good monuments.