All Saints Including Fishacre Tomb Adjoining Transept (formerly Listed Under Parish Of Moreleigh)

late C13 south transept

probably early C14 west tower and alterations

C15 south aisle

C17 porch

Development: The font is the evidence of the existence of a church on the site in the C12

there are records of a rector at Moreleigh in 1264.

In circa 1279 St Peter de Fishacre who owned both Moreleigh and Woodleigh was ordered by the Pope to build a church at Moreleigh as a penalty for having killed the parson of Woodleigh in a quarrel over tithes.

Although he may have rebuilt the whole church it is more likely that only the south transept which is late C13 was added by him.

On the evidence of the chancel windows work was carried out in the early C14 when the west tower was probably added.

In the C15 the narrow south aisle was built, the east bay of its 3-bay arcade replacing the transept arch.

The tower may have also been heightened or the top stage rebuilt in the C15.

In the C17 the south porch was added and the nave and chancel ceiled if not entirely re- roofed.

All that remains of C18 work is the Royal Arms of 1714 and an C18 pulpit, although Davidson in 1842 describes a west gallery as modern.

Exterior: The chancel south wall has 2 early C14 2-centred arch 2-light Beerstone windows with quatrefoil tracery and cusped lights, the sill of the right hand (east) window is higher.

The north side of the nave has a large C16 (or possibly early C17) arched perpendicular windows with a hoodmould and 3-centred arched heads to the lights.

The south transept has a late C13 2-centred

3-light wast window with inter-secting perpendicular tracery and a C15 3-light 2-centred arch 3- light east window cusped perpendicular tracery and hoodmould.

In the gable of the transept a slate sundial with a shaped head dated 1686.

The south window of the south aisle retains its hoodmould and frame but the mullions and tracery have been entirely replaced in C16 style Perpendicular.

The C17 south porch is gabled and has an unmoulded round slate arch

the slate roof has C17 crested ridge tiles, the tile over the gable has a finial (a rare survival).

Inside the porch are shallow stone seats either side and a C17 morticed collar rafter roof with nailed chamfered arch braces and a moulded wooden wall plate.

The narrow aisle roof is C15 and is ceiled between moulded ribs which have carved feet and carved bosses at the intersections

over the chancel and east bay of the nave there is a fine C17 plaster barrel vaulted ceiling with moulded transverse, longitudinal and diagonal ribs and a moulded wall plate

the chancel ceiling may conceal a roof structure earlier than C17.

In the tower the floors and bellframe have been replaced the 3 C15 bells have legends in Old English.

Furnishings: The C12 font has a round bowl with a carved plaited band

the C13 base has a water-holding moulding and was designed for a stern and 4 shafts which have been renewed.

The reader's desk is made up from a section of wainscot of the C15 rood screen which is ornately carved and recently painted.

C18 hexagonal pulpit has panelled sides and a moulded conrice which breaks forwards over the corner pilasters

The late C19 altar rail has wrought iron stanchions and a moulded wooden rail A small late C17 table has turned legs and moulded stretchers, situated next to the font in the south aisle.

There are several slate and local marble ledger stones of the C17, C18 and C19 in the east end of the nave and in the aisle.

The only wall monument is C20.

Royal Arms of Queen Anne dated 1714

Circa 1870s leaded glass, clear but with stained glass margins.