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St James

Swimbridge

Devon

West tower probably C13 with broach spire added in C14.

Architectural Features

Remainder of church rebuilt in C15

Medieval roof structure of spire intact.

C16 pointed arched doorway with Pevsner 'A' type moulding to the surround with lipped capitals to the shafts and hoodmould.

Ceiled waggon roof to porch with variously carved bosses at the intersections of the moulded ribs and longitudinal members.

The pier from which the chancel and nave arcades and also the north chancel chapel arch which is pointed with Pevsner 'B' type mouldings and with crowned human head corbel on the north side, all spring have leaf capitals to north-east side, 2 demi-angels clutching shields and small figure to east side and blind trefoil-headed panels to west and south sides.

Every fourth rib moulded with carved bosses at the intersections of the ribs and purlins which are colour painted.

Waggon roof to nave with every third rib moulded and carved bosses at the intersections of 3 tiers of purlins and ridge purl in and the ribs supported on carved wall plates which retain some original painted decoration.

Demi-angel corbels to the main ribs.

Richly carved leaf decoration to the wall plates and painted decoration survives to the main ribs and purlins.

Trabeated ceiling to north chancel chapel with painted decorations to the main beams and large richly carved bosses to the intersections and at the ends of the cross members.

Enriched C19 marble and stone carved reredos by Hems and Son of Exeter to memory of Smyth family.

Kneeling angels in ogee-headed recesses with flame finials to blind traceried pilasters outside saints figures in niches with slender marble colonnettes supporting triple trefoil-headed arched canopies.

Central crucifixion scene with 2 figures each side of Christ has similar enlarged triple-arched canopy.

Heavily carved cornice crested with brattishing below which are 4 large and small alternating bands of carving.

Richly carved outer stiles carry the ribbed vaulting beneath the loft.

Panelled base, each panel with various naturalistic carvings to the ogee-headed lights.

5 pairs of pews to each side of rear of nave retain some timber from C16 bench ends, otherwise C19 bench ends with Renaissance style carvings.

Fine stone late C15 pulpit.

Demi-angels to the base of each muntin with crocketted finials.

Figures of Saints Paul, Peter, Augustine, Ambrose and Jerome on each of five facets with ogee canopies, leaf crockets and Tudor ornament to the head.

Remarkable font resembling a pulpit with an enriched canopy with 2 angels bearing shields at the corners.

Foliated cornice and crossed ribs to the soffit of the canopy continuing down the coving, and carved emblems to each section.

The sides of the canopy splay inwards with cable moulded muntins, each side 3 panels high with rich Renaissance carvings on each panel.

The font is of 3 tiers with 7-facets.

Bottom panels are plain except one to rear which has C16 scrolling design.

2nd tier is carved with Renaissance details in all panels, the front 2 panels to left and 3 panels are hinged and open in the manner of cupboard doors to reveal lead-lined bowl.

C17 chest to nave, 3 panelled front with lunettes to the head rail.

Monuments: chancel north side.

Wall monument to Charles Cutcliffe and Christina his sister d. 1721.

Marble wall monument below this by Stephens of Exeter.

West wall has wedge-shaped metal plaque with fluted pilasters supporting semi-circular arch with inscription 1674 above HL inside the arch and WS above HY to left, CG above AR outside WARDEN below.

North wall north aisle large wall monument with small urns flanking achievement above shouldered surround with puttis to each side and winged skull below to Lewis Rosier d. 1676 with original painted decoration.

Pedimented wall tablet with obelisk to centre of pediment and flanking figures.

Roundel with skull above Ionic pilasters with scrolled wings with shields to each side and below with cherubs heads to John Rosier d. 1658.

Wall monument to Tristram Chichester d. 1654.

Oval medallion with cherubs heads to the spandrels containing bust of male figure leaning on hand.

C19 stained glass east window and east window of south.