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St Andrew

South Tawton

Devon

C16, major renovation of 1881.

Architectural Features

Most of the church was rebuilt in the C15 but not in one phase.

The porch is probably C16.

The south doorway has a C16 porch with embattled parapet and 2-centred outer arch with ovolo-moulded surround.

It has hollow-chamfered ribs enriched with 4-leaf motifs, good carved oak bosses and a carved foliate wall plate interrupted by a series of carved angels in various poses, some playing musical instruments.

Aisles have original low pitch roofs also with good carved oak bosses.

5-bay arcades both sides are mostly Beerstone with moulded shafts (Pevsner's type A) with caps to shafts only (all except one carved with foliage).

Floor of C19 tiles including a large number of mostly C17 and C18 graveslabs.

C19 arch to organ loft north of sanctuary containing rich early C20 carvings.

Altar rail 1903 rebuild of a late C17 one with twisted balusters.

Very ornate oak chancel screen with parcloses in late Perpendicular style is dated 1902 C19 brass eagle lectern.

Good C18 octagonal drum pulpit contains fielded panels inlaid with marquetry Evangelists.

C19 pine benches with tracery carved in the ends

a couple are oak and maybe reused from late medieval benches.

Granite font with simple cusped panels around the bowl and moulded stem is dated 1851 but the original is there too with a remarkably crude bowl

it may be Norman.

Good monuments.

The best is that of John "Warrior" Wykes in the north chapel dated 1592

his recumbent figure dressed in armour lays on a granite ashlar chest tomb and has a Beerstone tester carried on Ionic columns and the whole of this part carved with strapwork and containing the Wyke arms.

South chapel has the unusual Burgoyne memorial dated 1651, a slate wall plaque carved as a family praying at a desk.

It is framed in Beerstone which also includes carved figures at prayer.

Other good memorials to William Oxenham , Francis Moore , 2 similar Battishill memorials, both called Thomas, one died 1727, the other 1728.

This is a particularly good granite church with high quality craftsmanship from all periods, C15-early C20.