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St Mary the Virgin

St Mary The Virgin

Lynmouth

Devon

C13 tower, remains of 1741 rebuilding in S aisle, main reconstruction 1891-1905 by Sedding and Wilson.

Architectural Features

although the late C19 rebuilding is broadly medieval in form, there is much good Art Nouveau detailing, including some combined with neo-Norman features.

To the right is the 2-stage plain rubble square tower with crenellated parapet and mid string, with C19 W door in C14 moulded arch and drip to worn head stops under a 2-light C19 Perpendicular window.

The 3-gabled E end has some unusual detail combining neo-Norman with Art Nouveau, principally in Ham stone.

the central gable has a complex 1- above 1:2:1- above 2:3:2-light neo-Norman arched series of windows with a raised inscription to the arches, and to the lowest cill: 'O Ye Servants of The Lord, Praise Him and magnify Him for ever'.

The windows to N and S aisles generally have plain glass, but with varied leading having Art Nouveau figures, glazed in pale tints.

The chancel has coloured glass 'placed at the conclusion of the Great War'

The N (Lady Chapel) lancets have marble inner shafts, and stained glass, including one by Christopher Whall, of 1907.

This chapel, with 2 openings to the chancel, has 3 sedilia and a piscina/aumbry with fine carved doors.

FITTINGS: are unusually fine, and are said to have been carved mainly by local craftsmen.

Seating is in chairs, the octagonal stone font is in part C12, but with recarving, and with Jacobean carved cover.

The octagonal oak carved pulpit has a Latin inscription in memory of Newell and Anne Connop, 1899.

This has fine carved panels including Mother and Child, the Lamb, children with a crab,a ram and a donkey, under a basket-weave frieze.

In the chancel are fine carved stalls and altar rail, with a stone chancel rail

The Lady Chapel altar has a polished brass front with plant and Tree of Life embellishment based on timber panels.

MONUMENTS and panels include Royal Arms of William III, 1833, painted, on square board beneath the W window

in the W bay of the nave to Hughe Wichehalse 'Christide Eve', 1653

unusual and significant surviving example of painted wooden memorial, with carving by Phelps of Porlock, to Thomas Grose, December 1734