Architectural Features
arcade circa mid/late C15
tower partly rebuilt after a fire of 1689 which destroyed the furnishings of the church, furnishings replaced circa 1700.
The tower is dressed stone brought to course, the top stage late C17 brick to the north, south and east faces with C19 brick battlementing
The early Decorated tracery of the east window and west window of the tower (which is not necessarily in situ) indicate an early C14 phase of the building which may have been a simple nave and chancel arrangement, to which a tower and south aisle were added later.
The destruction of most of the tower, the roof and fittings in 1689 was followed by the complete refurbishment of the interior, which still retains an almost full set of C18 fittings.
3-light circa early C14 east window with intersecting tracery
A lean-to vestry adjoins the chancel on the north side with a small early C19 battlemented east porch with a chamfered Tudor arched outer doorway.
The stone rubble nave has 2 3-light untraceried windows with Tudor arched lights and timber lintels above carried on stone corbels.
the 3 windows east of the porch and 1 west of the porch are 3-light square-headed untraceried C19 with Tudor arched lights.
Chamfered volcanic Tudor arched priest's doorway, the circa early C19 door deeply- recessed
Interesting 3-stage west tower, the lower stages dressed stone brought to course, the upper stage an early C18 local brick replacement after the fire of 1689, C19 or later brick battlementing.
Probably C14 intersecting traceried 3-light west window with cusping and a hoodmould.
The stone rubble porch has a sundial in the gable above a chamfered Tudor arched outer doorway with an outstanding early C19 iron gate with intersecting Gothic rails below the middle rail and bold finials.
circa late C17 2-leaf panelled inner door.
chamfered rounded tower arch on gigantic carved corbel heads.
A 1700 seating plan of the church shows the nave and aisle seating disposed much as it is today with the pulpit and clerk's at the east end of the nave and the aisle seating facing north.
Painted texts designated benches allocated to particular groups : "Boys under 16 years of age" etc. Font with C18 bowl on a C19 stem with carved foliage
SS8712 : Cruwys Morchard, Church of The Holy Cross: Bowl detail on the font, dating back to 1689
C18 onion-shaped font cover crowned with a dove, lifting mechanism no longer survives.
SS8712 : Cruwys Morchard, Church of The Holy Cross: c18th onion-shaped font cover whose lifting mechanism no longer survives
Plain Tudor arched doorway to rood loft stair
aisle window with 1897 memorial date by Drake of Exeter.
1832 brass on nave wall commemorates W. Stone Esq and describes charity established by him, angel with scroll above inscription.
The rebuilding of the tower after the fire of 1689 with bricks made in the field opposite the church (Brick Mead) is an interesting example in the County of a relatively early use of brick in a rather remote rural area.
The total cost of rebuilding the church after the fire was £1,838 12s od.
Cruwys, Margaret C.S. A Cruwys Morchard Notebook, 1066-1874 Devon Nineteenth-century Churches Project.