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St Michael

Poughill

Devon

C13 origins, rebuilt in C15 with contemporary or slightly later north aisle, thoroughly restored 1855-6 and minor renovation work 1960-7.

Architectural Features

It is gable-ended with chamfered 2-centred outer arch, and includes a white marble World War I memorial under gable.

Interior: porch has ceiled wagon roof with moulded ribs and carved bosses, some of which may be C15.

Nave and north aisle have similar restored late C15 ceiled wagon roofs

moulded ribs, carved oak bosses (relatively plain and several featuring roses), carved foliage wall plate interrupted by small carved bosses under main trusses.

Chancel has rebuilt open wagon roof with moulded ribs, carved bosses and moulded wall plate.

It is stained and painted making it difficult to assess survival of late C15 timberwork.

C15 volcanic ashlar tower arch has jambs moulded like the piers of the arcade but with plain soffit chamfered capitals.

4-bay arcade of painted ashlar with moulded piers (Pevsner's B-type) and carved capitals.

The western respond features a green man motif.

Tower has probably C19 ringing loft floor of large intersecting beams and massive carved boss.

Tower floor is mostly made up of medieval encaustic tiles from Barnstaple.

Floor of nave of volcanic flags and large quarry tiles (possibly C17 or C18) and a number of C17 and C18 grave slabs including a white marble memorial to the former minister, William Frank the Elder, d. 1675, and notable for the crudeness of the lettering.

Chancel floor includes good quality 1856 encaustic tiles.

1856 gothic-style carved Beerstone reredos is similarly painted and flanked by high commandment panels with crocketed pinnacled ogee arches.

To right of altar an orange marble credence on carved Beerstone bracket.

gothic-style oak choir stalls, and a semi-octagonal oak pulpit with open panels under trefoil heads and the stiles and top rail carved with acorns and foliage and including original brass desk and candelabra.

Oak lectern and nave pews are probably contemporary.

Beerstone cushion font with tops of semi- circular faces meeting on the corners and circular stem with attached shafts, moulded capitals and bases may be restored Norman work.

Good marble mural monument erected in 1809 in memory of Gertrude Pyncombe of Welsbeare Barton, d. 1730, comprising white marble bas relief drum with dedication and obituary, vase with drapery above and cherubs below, all set on shaped black marble base.