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St Michael

St Michael

Cotleigh

Devon

Early C16, restored with rebuilt chancel in 1867.

Architectural Features

However the nave is probably C15.

The north aisle and west tower may be contemporary and early C16.

Exterior: the tower is 2 stages with embattled parapet, carved gargoyle water spouts, diagonal buttresses and a semi-octagonal stair turret on the south side.

On the west side of the tower is a Tudor arch doorway with moulded surround, carved foliage in the spandrels and a hoodmould carried up from the moulded plinth.

Each side of the porch are square- headed 3-light windows with Tudor arch-headed lights and sunken spandrels

there are 2 similar windows on the north side of the aisle and between them a blocked Tudor arch doorway similar to that in the tower.

Interior: the nave has a good C15 ceiled wagon roof of 6 bays with moulded ribs and purlins, carved oak bosses and a coved wall plate enriched with 4-leaf motifs and shields under each main truss.

moulded piers (Pevsner's type B) with carved foliage capitals.

Behind the pulpit (soutn side of the nave) is a tiny 2-centred arch doorway to the disused rood stair.

Contemporary brass altar rail on twisted standards, plain oak stalls with a little Gothic decoration, oak prayer desk, pulpit and lectern.

Restored C15 Beerstone front has a delightfully-carved bowl of various designs, mostly geometrical (eg. quatrefoil panels) but one features a carved dove.

Cylindrical shaft and angle shafts with carved capitals.

No memorials except for one in memory of the dead of First World War and an ancient coffin stone now set against the south wall.

Painted royal arms is C20.

Some C19 stained glass.