Architectural Features
north aisle, north aisle remodelled in the early C16,
probably C17 porch.
South-east part of nave south wall probably C12 Interior redecorated and refitted in the early C18 and east wall of north aisle rebuilt or refaced in 1772 (datestone).
Although the fabric is now largely C15 the size of the nave and chancel probably reflect the extent of an earlier building.
The C15 aisle extends across both nave and narrower chancel which is unlikely to have occured if the church had been of one phase and not incorporated either earlier fabric or merely an earlier plan.
Evidence of rebuilding or refacing of centre part of nave south wall, probably in the C17 Exterior: 3-stage tower with chamfered plinth, diagonal buttresses with chamfered offsets, string courses, parapet string with carved gargoyles at corners, and battlemented parapet with chamfered coping
Nave: Pair of C15 windows with 3 cinquefoil-headed lights each, cusped panelled tracery and hollow-chamfered reveals, left-hand window with returned hoodmould.
Two pieces of reset probably C12 masonry with billet ornament, to right of entrance and to right-hand side.
Restored C16 square-headed windows of 2 and 3 hollow-chamfered elliptical-arched lights with chamfered reveals and returned hoodmoulds.
Chancel: Pair of C19 chamfered trefoil-headed lancets to south and central C19 Tudor-arched priest's doorway with nail-studded boarded door.
Restored C15 east window of 3 ogee cinquefoil-headed lights with panelled tracery and hoodmould (formerly returned).
Early C16 north aisle arcade of 4-bays, consisting of Pevsner type-B piers with moulded bases, carved foliated capitals (each one different) and moulded arches.
SS8028 : Molland, St. Mary's Church: Early c16th carved foliate capital 6
Headless carved figure (probably of Saint Mary Magdalene) in a niche on the easternmost pier with corbel base and crocketed trefoil-headed canopy with pinnacles.
C15 triple-chamfered tower arch, the inner 2 chamfers dying into responds and the outer stilted and continuous.
Restored ceiled waggon roof to nave with moulded ribs and bosses, incorporating C15 moulded ridge-piece, reducing in size at east end, possibly for former ceilure.
Chamfered-arched doorway below tower to stair turret, with probably C15 nail-studded boarded door.
Section of medieval carved panelling reused as reredos, possibly part of former screen, consisting of 7 tall panels with tracerey and foliate carving.
The medieval church of St Mary stands on the hill, overlooking a picture-postcard village. The church is entirely 15th-16th century, replacing an earlier church of which nothing remains but the Norman font and a pair of medieval bells.
Early C18 chancel screen, possibly incorporating fragments of former medieval screen.
C18 plastered tympanum above with Royal Arms in square frame and inscription in lunette over: "1808 I. Mogridge Churchwarden.
Sole plate of former medieval screen still in situ in north aisle C18 triple-decker wooden pulpit on north side of aisle.
SS8028 : Molland, St. Mary's Church: The "wonky" column and c18th triple decker pulpit
Pulpit consisting of raised and fielded panels with moulded surrounds, panelled pilasters at corners, deep moulded cornice, breaking forward over pilasters, and overhanging desk with 2 probably C19 brass condlesticks.
Tester with deep moulded cornice, breaking forward at corners, inlaid 6-sided star pattern to underside, and ogee top with moulded cap, surrounded by carved figure of an angel blowing the last trump.
Interior of pulpit with bench and foot rest.
Old C18 egg cup and base near pulpit at time of survey Extensive C18 box pews with raised and fielded panels (2 panels) high, beaded corners and edges of doors etc., H-hinges and moulded rails
Plaster or wooden Tudor rose on north wall of chancel, possibly former roof boss.
Old stone floors except for late C19 encaustic tiles in chancel.
Bells of the C14
of 1562, c.1700 and 1908.
Stained glass: Fragments of old heraldic glass in east window of north aisle.
C19 memorial windows to William Rossiter esq and his wife, of South Molton, and other C19 windows.
Remaining windows of C19 diamond-leaded clear glass.
North aisle, North wall: Baroque wall monument in limestone with ancient colouring.
Rectangular bolection-moulded frame containing inscription to "the Right Worshipful John Courtenay" died 1660 and his son John died 1684.
On top a central armorial cartouche surmounted by scrolled pediment, feathers and skulls with mourning angels and urns.
On either side the monument has husked buttress scrolls and below, between the brackets which support the shelf, there is a subsidiary but integral pendant inscription on a convex oval with foliated cartouche on a small lion's mask corbel to Margaret, John Courtenay's wife, who died 1684.
Baroque wall monument of limestone and grey marble in bold relief with inscription in convex oval to John Courtenay died 1724.
At the top a central armonrial cartouche with a mourning angel reclining to either side.
A large moulded shelf on acanthus brackets supports the tablet and carries two winged figures of infants supporting shields.
In the apron below the monument is a convex oak inscription to George Courtenay died 1731 in wreathed and husked frame with below it, a pair of skulls with bat's wings (possibly from John Courtenay monument above).
Chancel, north side: Limestone wall monument to the Honourable John Courtenay d. 1732 The inscription is in a rectangular frame between Corinthian pilasters with entablature (scrolled to centre) and broken segmental pediment which has armorial cartouche and reclining mourning angels above.
It has shields of arms in quatrefoil sinkings with foliage carving in the spandrels.
Enclosing this chest and the 1724 and 1732 Courtenay wall momuments is a probably C17 painted wrought-iron gate with alternate diamond-set and twisted stanchions with ball and spear finials all fixed together with forelock bolts.
The monument is of various marbles and retains some old colouring retouched.
The monument breaks forward in 3 planes.
In the C12 William de Botreaux gave the advowson of the church of Molland and Knowstone to Hartland Abbey.