St Peter

All that remains of the early church is the C12 font.

The existing church is C15.

The aisles might have been built at different periods in the C15

the south porch is probably an early C17 addition.

The south elevation of the south aisle is similar except that bay-5 towards the east end has a large polygonal rood stair turret and bay-l has a gable-ended porch, its circa early C17 round arch dressed slate doorway with a broad ovolo moulding is on the west die.

The east end window of the south aisle was blocked in circa 1611 when the Harris monument was built in a projection on the south wall of the chancel in the angle with the south aisle.

Interior: The porch entered from the west side has a ceiled circa early C17 wagon roof with moulded ribs

The 5 -bay north and south arcades have granite (except for the responds which are Beerstone) monolith A-type piers, moulded Beerstone 4 centred arches and moulded Beerstone capitals, some with foliage carving on the south side and flowers on the north side.

The piers have been mutilated to take the rood screen and pulpit.

C15 rood screen the full width of the church, the canopy is missing but it is otherwise largely intact and has some remains of colour including some foliage decorations in the traceried wainscot.

Good early C18 octagonal pulpit from Ashprington church with fielded panels and pilasters on the corners

the stem has been rebuilt, but the fine sounding board, original to the church, has a carved cornice, ogee dome with a gilded trumpeting angel finial.

The pulpit has a brass candelabra and there is a fine C18 brass candelabra in the nave.

Good C12 red sandstone font has a short circular stem with a moulded base and hemispherical bowl carved with a frieze of palmettos and a narrower frieze above of saltire crosses.

Stained Glass: Mid C19 coloured glass in the margins of the north and south windows and mid C19 patterned stained glass in the west window.

The east window has clear glass.

Monuments: large early C17 monument to Sir Thomas Harris in recess on south side of chancel dated 1611, beerstone, the chest has large brackets with 2 kneeling figures, above the chest 2 recumbent effigies in contemporary costume and Corinthian columns supporting an entablature with a strapwork frieze, modillion cornice and a pediment with volutes and pilaster flanking a cartouche with an inscription.

The effigy of Sir Thomas Harris (†1610) in his lawyer's robes lies alongside Elizabeth, his wife, their two children kneel below them. The monument was erected in 1611 by Lady Elizabeth in memory of her husband.

© Mike Searle

Slate monument to the right to Lucy Sperway, died 1687 and another to Frances Newton, died 1744.

On the south wall of the chancel a slate and marble monument to Thomas Trist died 1742 and a Gothic monument to John F P Phillips died 1865.

At the east end of the north aisle a monument to Rickman died 1685?, a wreath around the inscription, pilasters and a round pediment with arcs and a skull below.

In the chancel south chapel a large marble wall monument to John Seale, died 1777, with fluted Corinthian columns and was above, signed by W. Pinder of London.

On the north wall of the north aisle an alabaster First World War memorial.

The village hall looks like an adapted church school building. The incised slate plaque reads: In grateful remembrance of Capt. James Wilfred Tozer Sgt. Maurice Dawbery Peters Pte. Ivor George Heamon Who gave their lives in the war 1939 – 1945

© Robin Stott